New method to overcome health challenges in the universe

As NASA prepares to bring people back to the moon and then to Mars, psychologists also in the process of exploring the challenges that astronauts will face in the longer journey. with more demanding than the journey into the previous universe. Recently they presented detailed mental health challenges at the 115th Annual Meeting organized by the American Psychological Association, and introduced an interactive computer program that could Help identify the psychological challenges in the universe.

"Lessons learned from the past, research in the harshest environments, training and remedies," says psychologist Marc Shepanek of OCHMO, NASA Coping with psychological pressure is the problem that NASA is in the process of learning to help the next generation discovery program. '

According to psychologists, the longer journey means astronauts will face stressful psychological pressures when they have to adjust to the environment far away from Earth . This environment can lead to debilitation as well as internal disagreements. At the first symposium organized by APA, people were directed to the psychological challenges of returning to the moon and to Mars.

American space astronaut Bruce McCandless in space when performing the Space Shuttle Challenger 1984. (Photo: NASA)

Historically, astronauts are reluctant to admit to behavioral and mental health problems due to fear of being taken back to the ground. Psychologist James Carter and his colleagues are in the process of developing interactive computer programs named Virtual Space Station, using input from 13 veteran NASA astronauts. They flew over International Space Station, Mir and Skylab. The system is currently being evaluated against controlled randomized controlled trials.The interactive program will help astronauts prevent, detect, evaluate and handle their own psychological problems . They will learn how to cope with depression as well as learn how to resolve disagreements with other astronauts.

Carter said: 'Behavioral health problems can make the journey a success, especially for long-term flights into space to the International Space Station, the moon. Fire. This self-guided software tool will provide instant and private treatment even if the patient is miles away from Earth . ' The virtual space station has just been deployed in Antarctica.

However, when astronauts aim to explore new planets, what they leave behind is the first thing in their minds. They will have to limit contact with the family, radio communication with the control department will be delayed, perhaps about 40 minutes. In her presentation, family sociologist Phyllis Johnson analyzed the interviews with astronauts who spent a lot of time in the universe. They determine what they feel is the role of NASA, themselves and their families in creating a 'home' during their journey. Johnson said: 'For example, they emphasize the role of regular communication about work, people and education. All of these factors give them a connection to the Earth and help reduce their sense of isolation. '

Psychologists also searched in history for instructions for future travel. Psychologist Peter Suefeld said: 'The Earth Exploration event is the closest image that reflects the Mars exploration event. Explorers, whether on the ground or in the seabed, are stuck with the unknown, usually over a period of years . Just like space explorers, they have very little or even no contact with their families, they must also find ways to deal with the dangers as well as unexpectedly unpredictable difficulties. first. The diary records the journey on the sea and on the ground, the speedometer as well as the letters being researched to get information about how explorers deal with boredom, rebellion and dissent. Perhaps this is the best way to predict certain aspects of the future's long journeys.