Life Sciences in the Space Program 



command structure, either within a space crew or between ground command and 

 the space crew, survive the full year or two of isolation before Earth systems can 

 directly affect the crew? The problem is compounded by the close quarters within 

 the space vehicle. Moreover, long delays in communication will be characteristic of 

 a Mars mission. Will such a situation cause a shift in locus-of-control and, if so, 

 when will it be most likely to occur? How can such a shift be managed? Other 

 questions relate to the phases of the mission (i.e., transit to Mars, onsite effort, 

 return to Earth) that may require a different partitioning of authority. 



These issues can no more be resolved in terms of current, direct experience than 

 could questions concerning the effects of prolonged microgravity in earlier times. 

 While this lack of information will not deter individuals from volunteering for 

 missions, attempts must not be neglected to discover ways to reduce risks. 

 Research should be conducted concerning various ways of organizing space crews. 

 Validation will be forthcoming when long-term flights are conducted. 



Crezv Motivation 



The major issue concerns how best to enhance human productivity through 

 environmental design solutions and optimal scheduling of tasks. 



Maintaining high levels of motivation and performance among group members 

 presents special problems in the stressful and confined environment of space. The 

 effects of long-term isolation and confinement can be significant. However, the 

 acknowledgment of such effects has been notably missing in the official reports of 

 American and Soviet space flight experiences. The information that is available is 

 anecdotal. It has been speculated that astronauts are reluctant to acknowledge 

 instances of decreased performance, and space program officials are disinclined to 

 acknowledge behavioral problems publicly (13). 



Informal reviews of mission reports and interviews with space crews and ground 

 personnel provide the outlines of the larger picture. While overall performance has 

 been remarkably good, decrements have been evidenced in experimental errors, 

 lost data, equipment mishandling, and a variety of behavioral disturbances, 

 including sleep loss, fatigue, irritability depression, anxiety, mood fluctuation, 

 boredom, social withdrawal, motivational shifts, and fatigue induced crew conflicts 

 (10,12,13,14,15,16,17). 



A number of important questions relate to motivation and performance. What, for 

 example, are the motivational factors that influence human performance in long- 

 duration missions? Other questions include the following: What kinds of work, 

 rest, and recreation schedules are needed to keep the crew occupied, motivated, 

 and satisfied? How can mission planners ensure that crew members will continue 

 to perform effectively as a team? What kinds of training, task scheduling, and 

 selection criteria will provide effective countermeasures to problems in crew 

 coordination? What is the best strategy for attaining and maintaining optimal crew 

 motivation and performance? 



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