Human Moon and Mars Exploration Mission Challenges & Tools for Psychological Support

Paper number

IAC-08.A1.1.5

Author

Dr. Iya Whiteley, Systems Engineering and Assesment Ltd, United Kingdom

Year

2008

Abstract

The need for a study of technologies and techniques for psychological support during long-duration exploration missions comes from a human desire for space exploration, which can be realised in the near future.  This undertaking is honourable and exciting but is challenging even for the most mentally prepared and trained astronauts and cosmonauts.  Hence, the challenge extends to scientists and industry to devise techniques and technologies that can support and help the crew on exploration missions.

This paper will provide a summary of an ESA study that lead to definition of a range of tools aimed at providing psychological support to the crew during long-duration exploration missions. The investigation started from identifying the type of psychological issues the crew will need to deal with. Then groups of interacting factors were systematically identified within the Psychological Issues Matrix (i.e. Psy-Matrix), which can trigger the issues.  The existing astronaut psychological support model was extended and the Embedded Psychological Support Integrated for LONg-duration missions (EPSILON) was defined.

The study consisted of four parts:

1. The first part of the study expanded on the psychological challenges and mission constraints the crew are likely to face, and described existing solutions from various analogous environments and their applicability for long-duration missions.

2. The second part of the study focused on specifying the future comprehensive baseline concept of the psychological support toolset based on extending existing and considering the suitability of new techniques and technologies.

3. The third part of the study consolidated information, through a workshop, where experts examined 19 presented papers on psychological support tools that can potentially be applied to missions to the Moon and Mars.  At the workshop, experts were also presented with a structured set of factors and issues that can have an impact on astronauts’ psychological well-being.  The experts proposed preventive measures and brainstormed for solutions to overcome potential problems that the crew may encounter on a long-duration mission to another planet.

4. As a result of the workshop, the global baseline concept for psychological support was refined and an extended psychological support model for exploration missions was proposed.  Experts’ views on existing and proposed techniques and technologies were also captured.  Lastly, the recommendations and development plan for EPSILON were proposed.

Abstract document

IAC-08.A1.1.5.pdf

Manuscript document

IAC-08.A1.1.5.pdf (🔒 authorized access only).

To get the manuscript, please contact IAF Secretariat.