About This Project
In 2017, the first blood clot in space was discovered in an astronaut aboard the International Space Station. Microgravity may alter blood flow and increase blood clot risk, yet no studies have evaluated sequential compression devices (SCDs) as a countermeasure. This study will use parabolic flight, doppler ultrasound, and wearable sensors to compare venous blood flow with and without an SCD. Findings may support non-invasive methods to prevent blood clots during long-duration spaceflight.
Ask the Scientists
Join The DiscussionWhat is the context of this research?
Venous thromboembolism (VTE), including deep vein thrombosis (DVT), became a recognized concern for human spaceflight after an astronaut aboard the International Space Station was diagnosed with an internal jugular vein thrombosis in 2017. The case, first reported in 2019, highlighted how microgravity-induced changes in venous blood flow may increase clotting risk. As missions to the Moon and Mars will expose astronauts to longer periods in space, effective countermeasures are needed to promote venous return and reduce the risk of thrombosis. This project evaluates whether a wearable compression device can improve venous circulation during parabolic flight microgravity exposure, providing preliminary data to support future astronaut health and safety initiatives.
What is the significance of this project?
This project addresses an emerging risk to astronaut health which includes venous thromboembolism (VTE) during spaceflight. Following the discovery of an astronaut with an internal jugular vein thrombosis aboard the International Space Station, concerns have grown that microgravity-induced changes in blood flow may increase clotting risk. This study evaluates whether a wearable compression device can improve venous return during microgravity exposure, providing data to support a practical countermeasure for future lunar and Mars missions.
Blood clots affect millions of people on Earth, particularly those experiencing prolonged immobility, hospitalization, surgery, pregnancy, or long-distance travel. Findings from this research may improve understanding of venous circulation and support the development of accessible strategies to reduce DVT risk, benefiting both astronaut and public health.
What are the goals of the project?
The primary goal of this project is to evaluate whether a wearable compression device can improve venous return during repeated microgravity exposure and serve as a potential countermeasure to reduce the risk of venous thromboembolism (VTE) during spaceflight. This pilot study will enroll one to three participants during a parabolic flight campaign of approximately 12 microgravity parabolas. Venous blood flow and vessel characteristics will be measured using portable ultrasound, while heart rate, oxygen saturation, and lower-leg circumference will be monitored using wearable devices. Measurements with and without compression will be compared to determine whether the device improves venous circulation in microgravity. The findings will support future research on VTE prevention during long-duration space missions and may also benefit at-risk populations on Earth.
Budget
The requested budget items are essential for collecting physiological data during parabolic flight testing of venous blood flow in microgravity. I already own the specialized research equipment from Part 1 of this project, including the Circul8 Pro compression devices, Butterfly iQ ultrasound, Wellue O2Ring pulse oximeter, GoPro camera, and smartphone.
Parabolic Flight ($6,000): Covers my research seat aboard the aircraft, providing approximately 12 microgravity parabolas for data collection.
Equipment Shipping ($100): Covers shipping research equipment.
Training & Research Week ($1,500): Covers airfare, lodging, meals, and local transportation during the required week of training and research operations in Canada.
My 2025 flight was funded through the Women in Aviation Space Flight Scholarship.
Endorsed by
Project Timeline
Part 1 was completed in October 2025 during a one-week parabolic flight campaign, where experimental procedures, wearable compression protocols, and data collection methods were developed and tested for feasibility in microgravity. Part 2 is scheduled for November 2026 and will expand data collection using refined methods to compare venous blood flow and physiological responses with and without compression across multiple parabolas, strengthening evidence for a potential VTE countermeasure.
Oct 10, 2025
Part 1 Flight Campaign (October 2025): Parabolic flight testing to validate, confirm feasibility of data collection in microgravity, and refine measurement timing and workflows.
Aug 05, 2026
Project Launched
Oct 01, 2026
Pre-Flight Preparation (Ongoing): Test Equipment Data Package
Oct 01, 2026
Pre-Flight Preparation (Ongoing): IRB approval, development, equipment selection and testing (compression device, ultrasound, wearable sensors), and flight integration planning.
Nov 13, 2026
Part 2 Flight Campaign (November 2026): Expanded parabolic flight study with structured comparison of compression vs. control conditions across multiple parabolas.
Meet the Team
Affiliates
For a list of past publications, please see Google Scholar.
Dr. Alexandra Kemp
Dr. Alexandra (Alex) Kemp is an advanced human factors systems engineer at Honeywell Aerospace, an adjunct professor of space human factors at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University Worldwide, and a bioastronautics and microgravity researcher at the International Institute of Astronautical Sciences. Her work focuses on human-centered design, flight deck systems, pilot evaluations, flight tests, and the intersection of human performance, safety, and emerging space technologies.
Dr. Kemp’s professional experience spans industry, government, and academic research. Throughout her career, she has worked with NASA, Honeywell, and Lockheed Martin, contributing to aerospace systems engineering, human factors research, and applied technology development. She is a U.S. Department of State Fulbright Student Program scholar whose international research focused on using unmanned aerial vehicles for defibrillator delivery in cardiac arrest emergencies and remote medicine logistics.
Her research portfolio includes flight deck human factors, energy management in general aviation, bioastronautics, space nutrition, and emergency medicine applications. Her current research interests include biomedical prevention and mitigation technologies for human space exploration and spinoff technologies for Earth.
Dr. Kemp holds a B.F.A. in Mass Media Communications from Valdosta State University, an M.S. in Aeronautics and Space Studies from Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, and a Ph.D. in Technology with an emphasis in Aerospace Human Factors from Purdue University. She also supports STEM outreach initiatives as a NASA Solar System Ambassador.
Lab Notes
Nothing posted yet.
Additional Information
This research is dedicated to my mother, who passed away from bilateral pulmonary embolism in 2024. Her experience reinforced the importance of improving our understanding of blood clot prevention both on Earth and in space. Thank you for your time and generosity.
Project Backers
- 3Backers
- 5%Funded
- $310Total Donations
- $103.33Average Donation
