Dehydrated Red Blood Cells for Transfusion Therapy in Spaceflight

The Suborbital Flight Assessment of Preserved Red Blood Cells for Transfusion Therapy in Reduced Gravity experiment will assess a method of red blood cell (RBC) storage in reduced gravity. Although radiation-induced anemia is a hazard to astronauts, whole blood or RBC storage and transfusion capabilities are a challenge due to biological limits on storage duration and the power and mass requirements for storage. The use of dehydrated RBCs prepared pre-flight offers long-term blood storage at ambient spacecraft temperature and rehydration with sterile saline, making the storage, handling, and restoration of the RBC source an option for extended exploration spaceflight and lunar surface operations. Flight tests aim to assess the automated rehydration of RBCs and their physiological status in reduced gravity. 

Problem Statement 
There is a need to develop a treatment with RBC transfusion technology that is compatible with exploration spaceflight. This technology provides a spaceflight-compatible method to provide blood transfusion therapy by preserving RBCs for long-term storage in a dried stage. It uses sonoporation to load RBCs with the protective compound trehalose. The biomimetic approach allows for the preservation of RBCs without requiring refrigeration. Rehydration is achieved by adding sterile saline to the dried RBCs. After rehydration, these RBCs can be used for transfusion therapy in both standard and austere environments, including the reduced gravity experienced during exploration spaceflight and extended lunar missions. 

Currently available methods require the blood to be stored in a refrigerator, and it is only good for 42 days. Dehydrated RBCs can be stored in a plastic bag at room temperature for more than 3 years (longer than a round-trip flight to Mars) and can then be rehydrated 1 minute before starting the transfusion. 

Technology Maturation
Flight tests on a suborbital rocket are expected to assess the automated rehydration of RBCs and their physiological status in reduced gravity. The flight tests aim to advance the preserved human RBCs for transfusion therapy to technology readiness level (TRL) 7. After the flight, researchers expect to verify that the rehydrated RBCs can carry oxygen and have regained a shape that can safely move through the blood vessels. This work is a continuation of previous flight testing under T0049-P, T0155-S, and T0287-P.

Spaceflight compatible: Preserves dehydrated RBCs Long-term storage: Can be stored in a plastic bag at room temperature for more than 3 years (longer than a round-trip to Mars) Easy rehydration: Under 1 minute to rehydrate RBCs by adding a sterile saline 

Future Customers 
Potential for crew medical officers aboard human-tended spaceflight to use when treating radiation-induced anemia or an in-flight trauma 
For use by physicians in extreme and remote conditions on Earth for transfusion therapy for trauma and other illnesses

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