Humans in Space ― The Psychological Hurdles

Using anecdotal reports from astronauts and cosmonauts, and the results from studies conducted in space analog environments on Earth and in the actual space environment, this book broadly reviews the various psychosocial issues that affect space travelers. Unlike other books that are more technical in format, this text is targeted for the general public.

With the advent of space tourism and the increasing involvement of private enterprise in space, there is now a need to explore the impact of space missions on the human psyche and on the interpersonal relationships of the crewmembers. Separate chapters of the book deal with psychosocial stressors in space and in space analog environments; psychological, psychiatric, interpersonal, and cultural issues pertaining to space missions; positive growth-enhancing aspects of space travel; the crew-ground interaction; space tourism; countermeasures for dealing with space; and unique aspects of a trip to Mars, the outer solar system, and interstellar travel.

Dr. Nick Kanas is an Emeritus Professor of Psychiatry at the University of California, San Francisco, where he has directed the group therapy training program. For over 20 years he has conducted research in group therapy and conducted space-related research with the European Space Agency and NASA. He was a Principal Investigator of NASA-funded research on astronauts and cosmonauts for over 15 of these years & has published over 200 professional publications. In 1971 he was the senior author of a NASA technical monograph entitled: Behavioral, Psychiatric and Sociological Problems of Long-Duration Space Missions. (NASA TM X-58067). He is currently the co-author of a Springer textbook entitled: Space Psychology and Psychiatry, which was given the 2004 International Academy of Astronautics Life Science Book Award, is now in its 2nd edition and has been translated into Chinese. The first edition of his title 'Star Maps' (Springer, 2007) was well-reviewed and went through two printings. The follow-up "Solar System Maps" was released in 2013.

In 1999, he received the Aerospace Medical Association’s Longacre Award and in 2008, he received the International Academy of Astronautics Life Science Award and is currently a member and past trustee of the International Academy of Astronautics. Dr. Kanas is also a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society (London).