Astronaut Crew Performance: Recent Space Experience

Early concern over the ability of men and women to perform efficiently in the space environment has been effectively dispelled by the success of the U.S. Space Program. Studies during the early phases of the program have demonstrated that crew reliability and performance is comparable to preflight levels. There are many factors which can affect performance and productivity. As we enter the Space Station Era, certain factors which have not come into play in the early space endeavors may prove to have a significant impact. Future performance studies on astronaut crews will need to evaluate and compensate for these new parameters.