Can you prick your finger in space? scientists find out

NCT ID NCT06431984

First seen Jun 26, 2026 · Last updated Jun 26, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether healthy volunteers with minimal training could collect their own blood using a finger prick during brief periods of weightlessness on parabolic flights. The goal was to see if the blood samples were good enough to measure caffeine levels. Thirty participants took part, and the study focused on how well the self-sampling worked in microgravity compared to on the ground.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

What this could lead to
If successful, this method could enable simple blood sampling in space, helping researchers understand how drugs work in astronauts.
What could go wrong
This is a small, early feasibility study with only 30 participants. It tests a method, not a treatment, and may not work in real spaceflight conditions.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • AIRBUS A 310 - Zero-G

    Mérignac, 33700, France

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Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.