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Emotional Highs and Lows

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Behavioral Health and Human Interactions in Space
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Abstract

Most astronauts have reported that their space mission was a positive experience. Some return with a new look on life or state they had a transcendental or religious experience [1, 2]. They may engage in volunteer work or start a foundation to help others. For example, after leaving NASA, Alan Bean became a professional artist, Edgar Mitchell founded the Institute of Noetic Sciences, and Ronald Garan Jr. became involved with a number of environment-friendly enterprises, such as the Fragile Oasis [3]. From space, the Earth may be perceived as a precious, fragile place, without political boundaries or reasons for national strife (Fig. 3.1). There is a sense that humankind is one united species making its way in the Universe.

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Kanas, N. (2023). Emotional Highs and Lows. In: Behavioral Health and Human Interactions in Space. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-16723-2_3

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