Psychological effects Effect of spaceflight on the human body

1 psychological effects

1.1 research
1.2 stress
1.3 sleep
1.4 duration of space travel

psychological effects


studies of russian cosmonauts, such on mir, provide data on long-term effects of space on human body.


research

the psychological effects of living in space have not been analyzed analogies on earth exist, such arctic research stations , submarines. enormous stress on crew, coupled body adapting other environmental changes, can result in anxiety, insomnia , depression.

stress

there has been considerable evidence psychosocial stressors among important impediments optimal crew morale , performance. cosmonaut valery ryumin, twice hero of soviet union, quotes passage handbook of hymen o. henry in autobiographical book salyut 6 mission: if want instigate art of manslaughter shut 2 men in eighteen twenty-foot cabin month. human nature won t stand it.

nasa s interest in psychological stress caused space travel, studied when manned missions began, rekindled when astronauts joined cosmonauts on russian space station mir. common sources of stress in american missions included maintaining high performance while under public scrutiny, isolation peers , family. on iss, latter still cause of stress, such when nasa astronaut daniel tani s mother died in car accident, , when michael fincke forced miss birth of second child.

sleep

the amount , quality of sleep experienced in space poor due highly variable light , dark cycles on flight decks , poor illumination during daytime hours in space craft. habit of looking out of window before retiring can send wrong messages brain, resulting in poor sleep patterns. these disturbances in circadian rhythm have profound effects on neurobehavioural responses of crew , aggravate psychological stresses experience (see fatigue , sleep loss during spaceflight more information). sleep disturbed on iss regularly due mission demands, such scheduling of incoming or departing space vehicles. sound levels in station unavoidably high because atmosphere unable thermosiphon; fans required @ times allow processing of atmosphere, stagnate in freefall (zero-g) environment. fifty percent of space shuttle astronauts take sleeping pills , still 2 hours less sleep each night in space on ground. nasa researching 2 areas may provide keys better night’s sleep, improved sleep decreases fatigue , increases daytime productivity. variety of methods combating phenomenon under discussion.

duration of space travel

a study of longest spaceflight concluded first 3 weeks represent critical period attention adversely affected because of demand adjust extreme change of environment. while skylab s 3 crews remained in space 1, 2, , 3 months respectively, long-term crews on salyut 6, salyut 7, , iss remain 5–6 months, while mir expeditions lasted longer. iss working environment includes further stress caused living , working in cramped conditions people different cultures speak different languages. first generation space stations had crews spoke single language, while 2nd , 3rd generation stations have crew many cultures speak many languages. iss unique because visitors not classed automatically host or guest categories previous stations , spacecraft, , may not suffer feelings of isolation in same way.