 |
|
Psychologists show new ways to deal with health challenges in space
August 15, 2008Psychologists reveal groundbreaking research, technology that will help address psychosocial challenges in next 'Age of Exploration'
BOSTON-As NASA prepares to send humans back to the moon and then on to Mars, psychologists are exploring the challenges astronauts will face on missions that will be much longer and more demanding than previous space flights. Psychologists outlined these mental health challenges Thursday at the American Psychological Association's 116th Annual Convention, and introduced a new interactive computer program that will help address psychosocial challenges in space.
"Lessons learned from the past, research in extreme environments, training, conditioning, and countermeasures for psychological stress are some of the things NASA is in the process of addressing for the upcoming age of exploration," said psychologist Marc Shepanek, PhD, from the Office of the Chief Health and Medical Officer at NASA.
Psychologists said longer missions mean astronauts will be faced with immense psychological pressures as they adjust to being so far away from Earth, which could lead to depression and interpersonal conflicts. The presenters spoke at APA's first symposium to address the psychological challenges of returning to the moon and going to Mars.
Historically, astronauts have been reluctant to admit to mental or behavioral health problems for fear of being grounded. Psychologist James Carter, PhD, and his colleagues are in the process of developing a suite of interactive computer programs, dubbed the Virtual Space Station, using input from 13 veteran long-duration NASA astronauts who have flown on the International Space Station, Mir and Skylab. The system is being evaluated in a set of randomized controlled clinical trials. This interactive program will help astronauts prevent, detect, assess and manage their own psychosocial problems. They will learn how to cope with depression and how to resolve conflicts with other astronauts.
"Behavioral health problems can interfere with the success of the mission, especially on long-duration space flights like missions to the International Space Station, the moon and Mars. These self-guided software tools will provide private and immediate access to treatments even though the patient may be many miles from Earth," Carter said in prepared remarks. The Virtual Space Station has already been deployed in Antarctica.
However, as astronauts aim to explore a new planet, the one they leave behind could be foremost on their minds. They will have limited contact with their families and radio communications with Mission Control will be delayed, possibly for as long as 40 minutes. In her presentation, family sociologist Phyllis Johnson, PhD, analyzed interviews with astronauts who had spent an extended amount of time in space. The astronauts identified what they felt was the role of NASA, themselves and their families in creating a "home away from home" during their flights. "For example, they emphasized the importance of regular communication regarding work, publicity and education, all of which provide connection to Earth and helped to reduce the perception of isolation," said Johnson.
Psychologists also looked to history for guidance in future space missions. "The closest analogue to Mars exploration is the exploration of Earth," said psychologist Peter Suedfeld, PhD. "Both maritime and terrestrial explorers struck off into the unknown, often for many years at a time." Like space explorers, they had little or no communication with home, and had to devise ways of coping with unforeseen and unfamiliar hardships and dangers. Psychologists are re-examining sea and land voyagers' diaries, logs and letters for a glimpse into how these explorers dealt with boredom, rebelliousness and dissent. They said it may be best way to predict some aspects of future long-duration missions.
American Psychological Association
Psychologists said longer missions mean astronauts will be faced with immense psychological pressures as they adjust to being so far away from Earth, which could lead to depression and interpersonal conflicts. The presenters spoke at APA's first symposium to address the psychological challenges of returning to the moon and going to Mars.
Historically, astronauts have been reluctant to admit to mental or behavioral health problems for fear of being grounded. Psychologist James Carter, PhD, and his colleagues are in the process of developing a suite of interactive computer programs, dubbed the Virtual Space Station, using input from 13 veteran long-duration NASA astronauts who have flown on the International Space Station, Mir and Skylab. The system is being evaluated in a set of randomized controlled clinical trials. This interactive program will help astronauts prevent, detect, assess and manage their own psychosocial problems. They will learn how to cope with depression and how to resolve conflicts with other astronauts.
"Behavioral health problems can interfere with the success of the mission, especially on long-duration space flights like missions to the International Space Station, the moon and Mars. These self-guided software tools will provide private and immediate access to treatments even though the patient may be many miles from Earth," Carter said in prepared remarks. The Virtual Space Station has already been deployed in Antarctica.
However, as astronauts aim to explore a new planet, the one they leave behind could be foremost on their minds. They will have limited contact with their families and radio communications with Mission Control will be delayed, possibly for as long as 40 minutes. In her presentation, family sociologist Phyllis Johnson, PhD, analyzed interviews with astronauts who had spent an extended amount of time in space. The astronauts identified what they felt was the role of NASA, themselves and their families in creating a "home away from home" during their flights. "For example, they emphasized the importance of regular communication regarding work, publicity and education, all of which provide connection to Earth and helped to reduce the perception of isolation," said Johnson.
Psychologists also looked to history for guidance in future space missions. "The closest analogue to Mars exploration is the exploration of Earth," said psychologist Peter Suedfeld, PhD. "Both maritime and terrestrial explorers struck off into the unknown, often for many years at a time." Like space explorers, they had little or no communication with home, and had to devise ways of coping with unforeseen and unfamiliar hardships and dangers. Psychologists are re-examining sea and land voyagers' diaries, logs and letters for a glimpse into how these explorers dealt with boredom, rebelliousness and dissent. They said it may be best way to predict some aspects of future long-duration missions.
American Psychological Association
Space Flight Current Events and Space Flight News RSSGoddard team develops new carriers for space station
In a partnership that exemplifies One NASA, engineers at NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center in Greenbelt, Md. teamed up with engineers at NASA's Johnson and Kennedy Space Centers to design, build, and test five new ExPRESS Logistics Carriers, or ELCs, which will be delivered to the International Space Station.
Ida now a coastal low assaulting the Mid-Atlantic
Ida is one stubborn girl. Her remnants have moved out to sea and reformed as a powerful coastal low pressure system that's been raining on the mid-Atlantic since Tuesday night, November 10.
Swift XMM-Newton Satellites Tune Into a Middleweight Black Hole
While astronomers have studied lightweight and heavyweight black holes for decades, the evidence for black holes with intermediate masses has been much harder to come by.
CU-Boulder Butterfly Payload to Launch Nov. 16 on Space Shuttle
When NASA's space shuttle Atlantis launches for the International Space Station on Nov. 16 it will carry a University of Colorado at Boulder butterfly experiment that will be monitored by thousands of K-12 students across the nation.
New Celestial Map Gives Directions for GPS
Many of us have been rescued from unfamiliar territory by directions from a Global Positioning System (GPS) navigator. GPS satellites send signals to a receiver in your GPS navigator, which calculates your position based on the location of the satellites and your distance from them.
Exploring the final frontier: Disease proposed as major barrier to Mars and beyond
New research published in the Journal of Leukocyte Biology suggests that prolific virulence and growth of bacteria, coupled with reduced production of antibodies could limit future space travel.
Typhoon Mirinae is already scaring Philippine residents before Halloween
Another typhoon in the northern Philippines really is something to be scared about, and Mirinae is expected to make landfall there in the mid-morning hours on Halloween, October 31.
Fermi telescope caps its first year with a glimpse of space-time
During its first year of operations, NASA's Fermi Gamma Ray Space Telescope mapped the extreme sky with unprecedented resolution and sensitivity.
NASA gets a 3-D look at Neki becoming extra-tropical
NASA's Aqua and Tropical Rainfall Measuring Mission (TRMM) satellites are watching Tropical Storm Neki become extra-tropical, and TRMM data was used to create a three-dimensional image of the storm.
A Long Night Falls Over Saturn's Rings
As Saturn's rings orbit the planet, a section is typically in the planet's shadow, experiencing a brief night lasting from 6 to 14 hours. However, once approximately every 15 years, night falls over the entire visible ring system for about four days.
More Space Flight Current Events and Space Flight News Articles
 |
Spaceflight: The Complete Story from Sputnik to Shuttle - And Beyond by Giles Sparrow (Author), Buzz Aldrin (Foreword) Published to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first space flight, this beautifully illustrated book about the history of man in space covers every detail of the quest for the final frontier, from the first spaceflight to today's missions and beyond. With a foreword by Buzz Aldrin and hundreds of photographs, Space Flight celebrates human achievement in outer space. AUTHOR BIO: Giles Sparrow studied astronomy at University College, London and science communication at Imperial College, London. He has acted as a consultant on and contributor to numerous popular science books. He is the author of several books, including The Universe and How to See It and was a major contributor to DK's Universe: The Definitive Visual Guide. |
 |
In the Shadow of the Moon Starring: Harrison Schmitt, Alan Bean, Edgar D. Mitchell, Michael Collins (II), Neil Armstrong Directed By: David Sington IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON is an intimate epic, which vividly communicates the daring and the danger, the pride and the passion, of this extraordinary era in American history. Between 1968 and 1972, the world watched in awe each time an American spacecraft voyaged to the Moon. Only 12 American men walked upon its surface and they remain the only human beings to have stood on another world. Now for the first, and very possibly the last, time, IN THE SHADOW OF THE MOON combines archival material from the original NASA film footage, much of it never before seen, with interviews with the surviving astronauts, including Jim Lovell (Apollo 8 and 13), Dave Scott (Apollo 9 and 15), John Young (Apollo 10 and 16), Gene Cernan (Apollo 10 and 17), Mike Collins (Apollo 11), Buzz Aldrin (Apollo 11),... |
 |
Space Shuttle Expansion for Flight Simulator X by Just Flight Space Shuttle Expansion for Flight Simulator X... It's out of this world! The development team at Captain Sim and the Publishers of JustFlight have done it again and this time they harnessed the skills of a Shuttle-trained Cosmonaut to develop a flight sim first. All six Shuttle orbiters are faithfully modelled and the systems and avionics are re-created to an extremely high level of detail. Software features a video `launch¿ to start the program and set the scene for the journey back to terra firma. Amazing animations include payload bay doors, SRMS (Shuttle Remote Manipulator System), drag chute, radiators and landing gear. Includes a voice package with 19 cues based on actual crew and Mission Control communications. This operates in real time according to the current flight... |
 |
Introduction to Space Flight by Francis J. Hale (Author) For introductory course in space flight dynamics. A self-contained, integrated introduction to the performance aspects of flight -- how to get into space, how to get around in space, and how to return to Earth or land on another planet (as opposed to specialized areas of life support, guidance and control, or communications). |
 |
Flight to Mars Starring: Marguerite Chapman, Cameron Mitchell, Arthur Franz, Virginia Huston, John Litel Directed By: Lesley Selander Also With: Harry Neumann (Cinematographer), Richard V. Heermance (Editor), Richard V. Heermance (Producer), Walter Mirisch (Producer), Arthur Strawn (Writer) Four men and a girl crash-land on the red planet Mars after suffering severe damage in a meteor storm enroute. Finding an advanced and seemingly benevolent civilization living in underground cities, help is given in the repair of the rocketship--however, a sinister plot is discovered that could mean the annihilation of Earth by an invading Martian army. Tense, terrifying action on a planet of forbidden dangers. Produced by Academy Award-winning producer Walter Mirisch in other-worldly hues of two-color Cinecolor, "Flight to Mars" is '50s nostalgia at its imaginative best and is a must for science fiction and adventure lovers. |
|
Odyssey FZAR4 Flight Zone 4 Space Ata Amp Rack by Odyssey Innovative Designs These sturdy, deeper ATA Amp Racks incorporate dual rack rails (front and rear), stackable ball corners, heavy duty rubber feet, spring-loaded handles, and removable front and rear covers. Designed to protect and transport larger amps and other standard 19" rack mount gear. Internal Depth (Rail to Rail): 16.5". Internal Depth (Rail to Cover): 19.75". (For more information about this product and other Odyssey products visit our website at www.odysseygear.com) | |
 |
STS-26: Return to Flight (Space Shuttle Flight 26) Starring: Spacecraft Films Directed By: Spacecraft Films 1 DVD collection of material surrounding the 26th Space Shuttle Mission aboard Discovery. Contains mission highlights, post-flight crew report. |
 |
Evolution of American Space Flight (10 pc set) by Action Products International This space set features 10 vehicles from the American Space Program. First, 5 detailedrockets portray the vehicles that launched America into the Space Age. Mercury Redstone- lifted the first brave astronauts into space. Mercury Atlas- the vehicle John Glenn rode into orbit. Gemini Titan- provided access to space for pairs of astronauts learning to live and work there. Apollo Saturn V- the moonship that gave us that one small step. Space transportation System- the Space Shuttle in this set detaches from boosters and fuel tank. Set includes five 4" to 5" tall replicas of flight rockets: ; Mercury Redstone; Mercury Atlas; Gemini Titan; Apollo Saturn S; Shuttle Transport System. Five 4" to 5" tall replicas of flight vehicles: X-15, X-20; X-24a; Space Shuttle; X-38 Spacecraft modeled on... |
 |
The Best of Hearts of Space, No. 1: First Flight by Various Artists The nationally syndicated radio show, Hearts of Space celebrated it's 25th anniversary in 2008. After ten years as a local Bay Area program Hearts of Space emerged in January 1983 with syndication to 35 non-commercial radio stations. The program is now syndicated on over 200 NPR stations and XM Satellite Radio and boasts the second largest footprint of any current show on NPR. From the beginning, the program's success has come from consistently high production quality and sensitive, knowledgeable music programming. The program has defined its own niche a mix of ambient, electronic, world, new age, classical and experimental music. Artists and record companies around the world recognize Hearts of Space as the original, most widely heard, premiere showcase for "contemplative... |
 |
At the Edge of Space: The X-15 Flight Program by Milton O. Thompson (Author), Neil A Armstrong (Foreword) Thompson’s adrenaline-fueled account of the X-15 program is the ultimate insider’s view: he flew as one of the twelve test pilots. These men truly had the right stuff, essentially piloting a seat strapped to a rocket 300,000 feet into the air—right to the edge of space. It’s all here, from late-night uncertainties in desert bars to the monumental technical challenges, to the record-breaking flights themselves. |
| © 2009 BrightSurf.com |