Psychosocial Issues on a Mars
Mission
Stressors On-orbit
• Research shows the presence of a “third quarter phenomenon,”
characterized by increased homesickness, depression, irritability, and a
decrease of crew cooperation not too far after the halfway point.
• “We studied the impact of leadership roles on group cohesion in both our Mir
and ISS studies. We found that the support role of the mission commander was
significantly and positively related to group cohesion among crewmembers. In
our Mission Control subjects, both the task and support roles of the team leader
were significantly related to cohesion in the ground-based work groups.”
• Celebrating holidays and special
events keep morale up and may
bring the crew together.
Cultural Issues
• Communication misunderstandings
and differences in work management
styles may cause power conflict.
• Each crewmember would need to
have at least one person who could identify with their cultural background.
• Simple tasks such as face to face communication would need to be adjusted
to better suit cultural preferences and avoid conflict.
• Not all cultures would be taken into consideration if celebrations would be
held which oppose their beliefs.
Stressors Unique to a Mars Mission
• Begin to build a dependence on machines and resources at hand.
• “Earth-out-of-view phenomenon” where seeing your family and friends and
where you’ve lived as small as a dot may worsen the feeling of isolation and
homesickness. Other effects that may occur include, depression, psychosis, or
even suicidal thinking.