Will We Bleed in
Outer Space?

Part of the BLOODY BEAUTIFUL programme by affect lab.

This event took place on April 23 2025, at the Independent School for the City in Rotterdam.

Will we Bleed in Outer Space? was a gossip session for exploring the unique considerations of space architecture—not as an escape from the human-made environmental crises on our planet but rather as an extreme case study for how to approach the challenges we face on Earth. Lack of water, extreme weather conditions and small living spaces are obstacles space architects must design for while also considering the needs of different bodies.

This session was developed in close collaboration with Thaïs Zuchetti, an architect with a passion for lunar architecture. We were introduced to her thesis research that focuses not only on the practical challenges of extraterrestrial environments, but also on what we as humans need for emotional and bodily well-being. As part of this, Thaïs connected her research to what a menstruation-inclusive environment could look like in space. 

We were then joined online by Dr Varsha Jain, also known as “the space gynaecologist”, who has been a pioneer in researching female reproductive health at NASA and the European Space Agency. When Varsha in 2013 participated in the Aerospace Medical Association conference (the biggest conference for space medicine in the United States), women's health in space didn’t exist as a research topic. But through her persistence and passion, she has pushed towards more inclusivity. 

We turned our attention back to Earth. In an interactive painting session, the participants reflected on designs that can make our planet more inclusive for menstruators and menopausal people. This session was inspired by Sovjet space architect Galina Balashova. She was the only woman in a team of male engineers, and with delicate aquarelles she designed with the human in mind, using colors-coding to create a sense of direction in micro gravity.