Hytro Returns to Space on Fram2 Mission

Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) is heading into orbit once again as part of the Fram2 mission – the first human spaceflight to travel over both Earth’s North and South Poles. Hytro’s BFR wearables will be used in space to assess the safety and effectiveness of Performance BFR in microgravity.

This marks the next phase of Hytro’s journey in space research, following the success of the Polaris Dawn mission in 2024, where Passive Recovery BFR was proven safe in zero gravity. Fram2 will take it further by introducing exercise with BFR – a crucial step in the mission to protect astronaut health.

In microgravity, muscle loss and bone density reduction pose serious challenges. BFR works by temporarily reducing blood flow to the muscles using compression, increasing muscle stress and enhancing training efficiency. On Earth, used by elite athletes across the Premier League, NFL, NBA, F1 and more. In space, it could offer a powerful solution for maintaining muscle mass, reducing fluid shifts to the head and simulating low-level gravitational activity.

Fram2 will see a four-person international crew spend three to five days in orbit, exercising with Hytro BFR using a custom device designed to enable movements like squats in zero gravity. Data will be captured using wearable tech and ultrasound and then compared to Earth-based baselines to understand the effects of microgravity on circulation and training outcomes.

Hytro is proud to be spearheading this initiative in collaboration with the Advanced Wellbeing Research Centre at Sheffield Hallam University, Northumbria University's Aerospace Medicine and Rehabilitation Laboratory and space technology leaders Vast and Labfront. Together, the teams are exploring how BFR can support astronaut health during spaceflight and pave the way for longer, more sustainable missions – including future trips to Mars.

Dr. Joe Handsaker, Co-Study Lead and Chief Innovation Officer at Hytro, stated, “This study is a massive step not just for Hytro but also the wider BFR community. By proving that BFR is safe to perform not only passively, as we saw on Polaris Dawn, but also whilst performing exercise, this will unlock the next stage of space research where we will be able to look at whether BFR improves exercise efficiency as much in micro-gravity as it has been shown to do here on earth.”

Dr Tom Maden-Wilkinson, Co-Study Lead Sheffield Hallam University and Emles Bioventures says, “As co-principal investigator for the project alongside Dr Joe Handsaker it is a real privilege to be able to be able to work as part of such a pioneering programme of research building on the success of our work on Polaris Dawn. Our ability to maintain our muscle mass and function is crucial not only for spaceflight but for our everyday lives. In bringing together experts from different fields of industry and academia, we hope that this work helps bring us ever closer to some of the solutions that will enable the aim of humans going to Mars.”

Raj Thiruchelvarajah, CEO and Co-Founder of Hytro, added, “It’s incredible to think that a conversation with NASA just one year ago has led to Hytro playing a leading role in pioneering BFR research in space. It’s a testament to our agile approach and innovative mindset.”

Dr. Warren Bradley, Founder and Head of Elite Performance at Hytro, emphasised, “This project challenges the boundaries of BFR research, taking it beyond traditional sports and clinical settings to explore its potential in extreme environments like space. It’s an exciting time for the entire BFR community.”

As the world looks to longer space missions and life beyond Earth, Hytro’s mission remains grounded in one goal: keeping humans performing at their best - wherever they are.

Learn more about Performance BFR or shop the Hytro BFR wearables now.