Conceptual Approach for Stress Estimates Among Astronauts and Cosmonauts

As humans continue to explore the solar system, psychological problems brought about by the high stress of living in a space environment will continue to increase. Five astronauts and cosmonauts representing three space agencies: ESA, RSA, and JAXA were surveyed regarding their experiences with ten general categories of psychological stressors and eight subcategories of interpersonal conflict. Results suggest psychological stressors are more likely to increase in quantity and severity in longer duration spaceflight. A conceptual mathematical model for stress estimates is suggested. This method appears to be in agreement with qualitative estimates of stressor roles in different space mission durations.