Space Psychology and Psychiatry

Space Psychology and Psychiatry

Ergonomics

With the building of the International Space Station (ISS), humans are committing
themselves to a continuing presence in space. This enterprise follows earlier space
stations under the Salyut, Skylab, and Mir programs. But the ISS represents a
change. With its several modules contributed to by a number of countries and space
agencies, crewmembers on-board will be multinational in composition.
Furthermore, missions will be several months long, with the opportunity to conduct
scientific and other important activities that will better the human condition. Finally,
the ISS will serve as a training and embarkation point for longer term, expedition
type missions to the Moon, the planets, and beyond. In order to tolerate such
activities, it is important for people who are involved to understand the stresses that
are produced by living and working in space habitats. Especially important during
complex, long-duration space missions are psychological and psychiatric issues that
may affect the crewmembers. These issues can mean the difference between
successful missions that accomplish mission goals and lead to a productive
experience for the people involved, and unsuccessful missions characterized by poor
morale, psychiatric problems, and tragic consequences for the crewmembers, their
mission control support staff, and family and friends back home on Earth.

Nick Kanas, M.D.

www.springer.com

Springer Science+Business Media B.V.

2008

English