Space Hug — deep-pressure comfort for microgravity

On Earth, gravity gives the body a constant, calming sense of being held. In microgravity that disappears, and with it a source of comfort that supports sleep and stress regulation.

Build a wearable that restores gentle, adjustable deep pressure — the proprioceptive input behind weighted blankets and hug therapy — in an environment where weight no longer does the work.

We developed Space Hug around a soft, even pressure system that functions without gravity, studying actuation, materials, and comfort for extended wear and drawing on wearable-haptics and sleep-garment prototyping.

A working prototype and a research basis for deep-pressure countermeasures to support crew sleep and stress regulation on orbit. Space Hug was tested in microgravity on an Aurelia Institute Horizon parabolic research flight, and the Aurelia Institute featured the project in its coverage of the work.

The Aurelia Institute Horizon flight, where Space Hug was tested and featured.