Astronaut Selection and Potential Risk Management: Psychological Trauma and Resilience for Mars Space Mission

Abstract

The first human orbited the Earth for less than two hours in 1961. The twelve Apollo astronauts experienced up to 22 hours of walking on the Moon (Apollo 17). Beginning in 2000, the International Space Station (ISS) hosted 279 individuals from 22 countries who stayed in space for six to 12 months. Among them, Oleg Kononeko holds the record for the longest mission, exceeding two years. The astronaut selection programme has evolved over time in accordance with the objectives and duration of spaceflight. Questions arise about the criteria for astronaut candidature, the selection process used in the past, and the psychological issues that warrant increased consideration for future deep space travel. Moreover, how can we mitigate potential risk factors and improve astronaut safety and well-being? This paper explores the historical narratives of the astronaut selection process for short-term missions. Considering major hazards such as confinement (isolation), distance from Earth (travel time), and hostile environments, this paper proposes a hypothetical human policy for a Mars return mission (2.5–3 years). It focuses on enhancing the astronauts’ psychiatric resilience through a selection protocol that takes into account family traumas (bereavement, divorce, and abuse), addictions (drug, alcohol, smoking, internet gambling (games), and sex), and personality traits associated with possible emergency situations (threat, stubbornness, aggression, hostility, or violence) in the context of space community security. Show more