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Psychological Effects of Space Exploration
Living in a confined area that is approximately the size of a small house trailer with four other people is not an easy task in itself. When you consider that astronauts live this way with the added stress of being thousands of miles above the earth in a zero-gravity environment, it is obvious why astronauts must be psychologically sound.
Living in such close quarters magnifies the effects of incompatibility, annoying habits, irritating mannerisms and other sources of interpersonal friction
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As the psychological welfare of a crew of astronauts is critical to the success of a space mission, it is important to know how individuals are affected mentally by a weightless environment. One of the prime contributors to psychological problems in astronauts is isolation. Withdrawing an individual from his or her social relationships on Earth is very stressful. Being separated from family and friends and thrust into a strange, high-pressure environment can result in anxiety and even depression in astronauts.
Interpersonal dynamics on a space mission are another source of psychological stress. Relationships formed on space missions are often forced and involve intense contact within the confinements of a space craft. Living in such close quarters magnifies the effects of incompatibility, annoying habits, irritating mannerisms and other sources of interpersonal friction. Conflict inevitably results. While minor disputes between crew members can actually be cathartic and beneficial, major arguments disrupt the cohesiveness of the team and jeopardize the success of the mission.
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The seven crew members for STS-101 pose for an inflight crew portrait on the International Space Station. Photo courtesy NASA |
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Privacy is often considered a luxury rather than a necessity. Because of this misconception, privacy is often sacrificed due to lack of space. Unfortunately, this can have dire results. Privacy is a psychological need that is essential to maintain one’s sense of identity. Astronauts need to have some control over the social contact they have with others. They need solitary ‘down time’ to recuperate from the rigors of space exploration and to achieve peace of mind. A private place for rest and relaxation away from others is important, especially on long and extended space journeys. Mental health depends on it.
Another psychological side effect of prolonged isolation and confinement is the loss of motivation. Studies have shown that people “begin confinement with every intention of engaging in creative activities such as writing, completing a project, or accomplishing some serious reading. These worthwhile goals rarely are achieved, or even attempted. Instead, most hours of confinement are spent in time-marking activities such as solitaire” (Mary Connors). Why do astronauts (and people in general) in extended confinement develop such lackluster attitudes? Part of the reason lies in the physiological effects of weightlessness on the human body. The decline in health some astronauts experience as a result of exposure to microgravity corresponds to a decline in vitality and an increase in fatigue and inertia. Clearly medical issues must be addressed before astronauts can be expected to accomplish tasks with enthusiasm during long space missions.
Astronauts are often barraged by the question ‘how do you sleep in space?’. If they answered honestly, they would probably say ‘badly’. Studies have proven that insomnia is a serious problem for astronauts who are in space for extended periods of time. Sleep disturbances are common in high-stress situations where people are under constant pressure to perform.
Withdrawal, need for privacy, loss of motivation and sleep disturbances are just a few of the main psychological issues that develop over extended missions in space. Now that the issues have been identified, what about the solutions? The Skylab crew (who once held the record for staying in space the longest) found that physical exercise not only reduced the adverse effects that microgravity had on their bodies, but also conferred psychological benefits and a sense of well-being. Astronauts should also be encouraged to keep themselves busy, either by socializing or through healthy diversions such as games and books. Whatever can be done to relieve the psychological stresses astronauts experience in space must be done. After all, a happy astronaut is a productive astronaut.
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