Psychological Preparation and Support for Space Station Crews

Until recently, the role of psychological preparation and support for astronauts has been minimal due to the short duration of shuttle missions. With the onset of the International Space Station (ISS), NASA Johnson Space Center's Medical Operations Branch has initiated a program of preflight training, in-flight monitoring and support, and postflight recovery activities to address psychological issues of long-duration missions. Psychological selection and screening of astronaut applicants also is becoming increasingly important as crews are required to spend several months in relative isolation and confinement. Psychological preparation and support methods are being based, in part, on activities being developed and implemented for, and lessons from, the current U.S.-Russian program.