NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

Just as the space environment poses a number of physiological risks to crewmembers, the unique stresses and challenges of space flight can also affect cognitive and mental performance. The Behavioral Health and Performance Element is charged with the task of assessing the impact of space travel on human behavioral health and developing interventions and countermeasures to ensure optimal crew member health and performance.

The research conducted by the Behavioral Health and Performance Element makes extensive use of analogs, which are experimental environments that have been created to simulate certain aspects of space travel. By duplicating space conditions such as altered day and night cycles, heavy workloads, social isolation, and close living quarters, scientists can gain insight into the impact of these circumstances on human behavior and performance and develop countermeasures, equipment, and other interventions designed to minimize the risks associated with these variables.

 

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