Sky Labs validates ring-type blood pressure monitor in spaceflight-like microgravity tests

Sky Labs has successfully demonstrated that its cuffless, ring-type blood pressure monitor can function in a space-like environment, marking a rare commercial medical device test in microgravity conditions.

The company said Thursday that CART BP, its wearable blood pressure monitor, reliably measured cardiovascular data in a microgravity range of 0–0.1g—conditions that mimic outer space. The test was part of the IIAS-02 experiment, conducted through a joint effort between the University of Cambridge in the U.K. and the International Institute for Astronautical Sciences (IIAS).

Microgravity was generated aboard a parabolic flight, which creates near-zero gravity as the aircraft rapidly ascends and descends. Researchers used the ring device to evaluate the feasibility of monitoring blood pressure in space-like environments and to collect preliminary data for future studies on women’s health in space.

IIAS astronaut Norah Patten (center), Cambridge University researcher Gisele J. Bentley (left) and Cambridge University researcher Dr. Bernadette Jenner pose for a photo wearing CART BP after the flight. (Courtesy of Sky Labs)

According to Sky Labs, the successful data acquisition confirms the device’s potential as a stable monitoring tool beyond Earth’s gravitational pull—an area of growing interest as commercial spaceflight, lunar mission planning and astronaut health programs expand.

“We are pleased that CART BP’s blood pressure measurement technology has been recognized through experiments conducted in a special environment,” said Sky Labs CEO Lee Byung-hwan. “We will continue to actively participate in various research projects to lead technological advancements.”

Cambridge researchers said, "This study would not have been possible without CART BP” adding, "The participating astronauts, Norah Patten and Dr. Shawna Pandya, were impressed with how the device was so convenient, simple and easy to use."

The experiment was conducted at the National Research Council Canada in Ottawa from October 14 to 15, 2025. It forms part of a larger research initiative into women’s health in space and produced preliminary proof-of-concept data for future scientific work.