Psychology of Space Exploration

This book addresses the changing role of psychology within the U.S space program. It reviews the history of astronaut selection, training and psychological support during in-flight and post-flight periods. A wealth of observations is included as surviving in extreme environments, managing interpersonal conflict in space, psychosocial adjustment, group dynamics, flying with strangers and multinational space crews. Astronauts describe behaviour challenges encounter in space: maintaining high performance in face of extreme danger, a high reliance on technology for life support and task performance; physical and social isolation and confinement; high physical, psychological, psychosocial, and cognitive demands; multiple critical interfaces (human-human, human-technology, and human-environment); and requirements for team coordination and cooperation. Learners interested in following a career in space exploration and the establishment of human outposts in outer space, will benefit from information given.
This ebook is free to download for iBooks, Kindles and other ebook readers or just as a PDF.