Kastrup and Peng tested simulated lunar and Martian soil, individual minerals found in regolith, and a real meteorite. They found that all regolith samples helped blood clot faster by activating Factor XII, a protein that triggers one of the body’s natural clotting pathways. The meteorite sample was particularly effective at speeding up clot formation. These results suggest that lunar or Martian soil could potentially be used as an emergency blood-clotting material during future space missions when traditional medical supplies are limited or unavailable.

Kastrup says there are other implications from this study, as well. “Although the research is focused primarily on astronauts, the study importantly shows that many naturally occurring soils contain silicate materials, which can accelerate clotting. Overall, increasing our understanding of how different minerals activate clotting will help guide the development of new hemostatic agents on Earth, especially in areas where medical supplies are scarce,” he says. “In the long-term, these insights may help improve emergency care in remote or resource-limited environments.”

VBRI brings together researchers from a wide range of backgrounds, from clinicians and biologists to hematologists and engineers, and an equally wide range of resources and cutting-edge technology. It all results in the ability to quickly test new ideas and explore unconventional applications, like trauma care in the context of space exploration.