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Psychological and sociological effects of space flight are important to understanding how to successfully achieve the goals of long-duration expeditionary missions. Although robotic spacecraft have landed on Mars , plans have also been discussed for a human expedition , perhaps in the 2030s, [ 1 ] for a return mission.
Space psychology refers to applying psychology to advise human spaceflight.This includes applying industrial and organizational psychology to team selection, individual and team mental preparation, team training, and ongoing psychological support, [1] and applying human factors and ergonomics to the construction of spacecraft to ensure sufficient habitability.
American astronaut Marsha Ivins demonstrates the effects of microgravity on her hair in space. The effects of spaceflight on the human body are complex and largely harmful over both short and long term. [1] Significant adverse effects of long-term weightlessness include muscle atrophy and deterioration of the skeleton (spaceflight osteopenia). [2]
MARS-500 was intended to study the psychological, physiological, and technological challenges inherent to long-duration space flight. Among other hurdles to overcome, the experiment examined the physiological effects of long-term weightlessness, the effectiveness of resource management, and the effects of isolation in a hermetically sealed environment.
Ten research teams are assembled to conduct an integrated research on the change on physiological, molecular and cognitive level after exposing to long-duration spaceflight. The study also required the astronauts to keep a journal, and investigated the psychological effects of living in a confined space for an extended length of time.
Selection, training, cohesion and psychosocial adaptation influence performance and, as such, are relevant factors to consider while preparing for costly, long-duration [clarification needed] spaceflight missions in which the performance objectives will be demanding, endurance will be tested and success will be critical.
The overview effect is a cognitive shift [Note 1] reported by some astronauts while viewing the Earth from space. [2] Researchers have characterized the effect as "a state of awe with self-transcendent qualities, precipitated by a particularly striking visual stimulus". [ 3 ]
The environmental conditions in space are harsh and require extensive equipment for survival and completion of daily activities. [2] There are many environmental factors to consider both inside and outside of a spacecraft that astronauts work in. [2] These factors include but are not limited to movement during weightlessness, general equipment necessary to travel to the desired destination in ...