Human Interactions On-orbit

Chapter
First Online:
Part of the Space Technology Library book series (SPTL, volume 29)

Abstract

Anecdotal reports from space and studies from space analogue missions on Earth have suggested four areas of importance that have relevance for human interactions during on-orbit missions: time effects, displacement, leadership roles, and cultural issues (both national and organizational). In a communications questionnaire survey given to astronauts and cosmonauts who had flown in space, it was found that fluency in a common language during the mission was also important, and a number of factors that improved or hindered intra-crew and crew-ground communication were revealed. Following a pilot study of human interactions during the HUman BEhaviour Study (HUBES), my colleagues and I conducted two major studies involving on-orbit missions to the Russian Mir and International Space Stations. We did not find evidence supporting time effects (in particular during the second half or the third quarter of the missions), but we did find evidence for the displacement of crew tension and unpleasant emotions to the ground and support for the importance of task and support leadership roles for group cohesion. We also found cultural differences in work pressure and tension that may have been related to national and/or organizational factors. In a separate study, we found that space is a positive experience for astronauts and cosmonauts, especially with respect to gaining an appreciation for the Earth and its beauty. These studies suggest a number of countermeasures that can be employed during future space mission in terms of crew selection, pre-launch training, mission monitoring and support, and post-return readaptation.

Keywords

International Space Station Space Mission Mission Control Future Space Mission Task Role 
These keywords were added by machine and not by the authors. This process is experimental and the keywords may be updated as the learning algorithm improves.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in to check access

References

  1. Bechtel, R.B., Berning, A.: The third-quarter phenomenon: do people experience discomfort after stress has passed? In: Harrison, A.A., Clearwater, Y.A., McKay, C.P. (eds.) From Antarctica to Outer Space. Springer, New York (1991)Google Scholar
  2. Boyd, J.E., Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P., Gushin, V.I., Saylor, S.A., Weiss, D.S., Marmar, C.R.: Cultural differences in crewmembers and mission control personnel during two space station programs. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 80, 532–540 (2009)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  3. Connors, M.M., Harrison, A.A., Akins, F.R.: Living Aloft: Human Requirements for Extended Spaceflight, NASA SP-483. National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC (1985)Google Scholar
  4. Gunderson, E.K.E., Nelson, P.D.: Adaptation of small groups to extreme environments. Aerospace Med 34, 1111–1115 (1963)Google Scholar
  5. Harrison, A.A., Clearwater, Y.A., McKay, C.P. (eds.): From Antarctica to Outer Space. Springer, New York (1991)Google Scholar
  6. Ihle, E.C., Ritsher, J.B., Kanas, N.: Positive psychological outcomes of space flight: an empirical study. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 77, 93–101 (2006)Google Scholar
  7. Kanas, N.: Psychosocial factors affecting simulated and actual space missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 56, 806–811 (1985)Google Scholar
  8. Kanas, N.: Psychological and interpersonal issues in space. Am. J. Psychiatry 144, 703–709 (1987)Google Scholar
  9. Kanas, N.: Psychological, psychiatric, and interpersonal aspects of long-duration space missions. J Spacecraft Rockets 27, 457–463 (1990)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  10. Kanas, N.: Group interactions during space missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 75(7 Suppl.), C3–C5 (2004)Google Scholar
  11. Kanas, N.: Psychology and Culture During Long-Duration Space Missions. International Academy of Astronautics, Paris (2009)Google Scholar
  12. Kanas, N.A., Feddersen, W.E.: Behavioral, Psychiatric, and Sociological Problems of Long-duration Space Missions, NASA Technical Memorandum (TM X-58067). NASA Manned Spacecraft Center, Houston (1971)Google Scholar
  13. Kanas, N., Manzey, D.: Space Psychology and Psychiatry, 2nd edn. Springer/Microcosm Press, Dordrecht/The Netherlands/ El Segundo (2008)Google Scholar
  14. Kanas, N., Weiss, D.S., Marmar, C.R.: Crewmember interactions during a Mir space station simulation. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 67, 969–975 (1996)Google Scholar
  15. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Gushin, V., Weiss, D.S., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Social and cultural issues during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Acta Astronaut. 47, 647–655 (2000a)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  16. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Gushin, V., Weiss, D.S., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Interpersonal and cultural issues involving crews and ground personnel during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 71(9 Suppl.), A11–A16 (2000b)Google Scholar
  17. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Weiss, D.S., Grund, E.M., Gushin, V., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Bostrom, A., Marmar, C.R.: Crewmember and ground personnel interactions over time during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 72, 453–461 (2001a)Google Scholar
  18. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Weiss, D.S., Gushin, V., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Human interactions during Shuttle/Mir space missions. Acta. Astronaut. 48, 777–784 (2001b)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  19. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Weiss, D.S., Gushin, V., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Human interactions in space: results from Shuttle/Mir. Acta Astronaut. 49, 243–260 (2001c)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  20. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Weiss, D.S., Gushin, V., Bostrom, A., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Psychosocial issues in space: results from Shuttle/Mir. Gravit. Space Biol. Bull. 14(2), 35–45 (2001d)Google Scholar
  21. Kanas, N., Salnitskiy, V., Grund, E.M., Gushin, V., Weiss, D.S., Kozerenko, O., Sled, A., Marmar, C.R.: Lessons learned from Shuttle/Mir: psychosocial countermeasures. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 73, 607–611 (2002)Google Scholar
  22. Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P., Ritsher, J.B., Gushin, V.I., Weiss, D.S., Saylor, S.A., Kozerenko, O.P., Marmar, C.R.: Human interactions in space: ISS vs. Shuttle/Mir. Acta Astronaut. 59, 413–419 (2006)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  23. Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P., Ritsher, J.B., Gushin, V.I., Weiss, D.S., Saylor, S.A., Kozerenko, O.P., Marmar, C.R.: Psychosocial interactions during ISS missions. Acta Astronaut. 60, 329–335 (2007a)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  24. Kanas, N.A., Salnitskiy, V.P., Ritsher, J.B., Gushin, V.I., Weiss, D.S., Saylor, S.A., Kozerenko, O.P., Marmar, C.R.: Crewmember and mission control personnel interactions during international station missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 78, 601–607 (2007b)Google Scholar
  25. Kelly, A.D., Kanas, N.: Crewmember communication in space: a survey of astronauts and cosmonauts. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 63, 721–726 (1992)Google Scholar
  26. Kelly, A.D., Kanas, N.: Communication between space crews and ground personnel: a survey of astronauts and cosmonauts. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 64, 795–800 (1993)Google Scholar
  27. Kelly, A.D., Kanas, N.: Leisure time activities in space: a survey of astronauts and cosmonauts. Acta Astronaut. 32, 451–457 (1994)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  28. Nelson, P.D.: Similarities and differences among leaders and followers. J. Soc. Psychol. 63, 161–167 (1964)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  29. Palinkas, L.A.: Group adaptation and individual adjustment in Antarctica: a summary of recent research. In: Harrison, A.A., Clearwater, Y.A., McKay, C.P. (eds.) From Antarctica to Outer Space. Springer, New York (1991)Google Scholar
  30. Palinkas, L.A., Gunderson, E.K.E., Johnson, J.C., Holland, A.W.: Behavior and performance on long-duration spaceflights: evidence from analogue environments. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 71(9 Suppl.), A29–A36 (2000)Google Scholar
  31. Ritsher, J.B.: Cultural factors and the international space station. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 76(Suppl 6), B135–B144 (2005)Google Scholar
  32. Sandal, G.M.: Coping in Antarctica: is it possible to generalize results across settings? Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 71(9 Suppl.), A37–A43 (2000)Google Scholar
  33. Sandal, G.M., Vaernes, R., Ursin, H.: Interpersonal relations during simulated space missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 66, 617–624 (1995)Google Scholar
  34. Steel, G.D., Suedfeld, P.: Temporal patterns of affect in an isolated group. Environ. Behav. 23, 749–765 (1991)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  35. Stuster, J., Bachelard, C., Suedfeld, P.: The relative importance of behavioral issues during long-duration ICE missions. Aviat. Space Environ. Med. 71(9 Suppl.), A17–A25 (2000)Google Scholar
  36. Suedfeld, P.: Homo invictus: the indomitable species. Can Psychol 38, 164–173 (1998)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  37. Suedfeld, P.: Applying positive psychology in the study of extreme environments. J Human Perform Extreme Environ 6, 21–25 (2001)Google Scholar
  38. Suedfeld, P., Legkaia, K., Brcic, J.: Changes in the hierarchy of value references associated with flying in space. J. Pers. 78, 1–25 (2010)CrossRefGoogle Scholar
  39. Wood, J.A., Lugg, D.J., Hysong, S.J., Harm, D.L.: Psychological changes in hundred-day remote Antarctic field groups. Environ. Behav. 31, 299–337 (1999)Google Scholar

Copyright information

© Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg 2013

Authors and Affiliations

  1. 1.University of CaliforniaSan FranciscoUSA

Personalised recommendations