RESEARCH PROPOSAL

Ellie Smith
Independent Research G/T I
2017-2018

Title: Inside the Brain of an Astronaut

Introduction and Overview of Research:

The general area of investigation is the psychological challenges of long-duration missions in space
and ways to combat these challenges. Currently, astronauts are provided a psychological support team
that remains on the ground. This is not very effective in assisting the astronauts due to the astronauts not
always voluntarily communicating. This project will produce a computer-based program to assist the
therapy and recovery of astronauts from an unhealthy psychological state. In the end, a computer-based
tool to help with the psychological state of astronauts on a long-duration mission will allow the mission to
run smoothly without any fatal consequences from poor mental health.

Background and Rationale

With the development of new technology, space travel has been becoming more relevant and
important in today’s society. Countries all over the world are working together to take humans places they
have never gone before. Through analog environments and studies of on orbit missions, scientists can
predict what psychological stressors will be prevalent during a mission to Mars. Isolation and confinement,
separation from family and friends, and monotony are the main psychological challenges of long-duration
missions in space. Maintaining a personal journal, terrestrial analog environments, crew selection, and
today’s advanced technology, such as virtual reality, will help combat the psychological challenges
previously stated.
This information allows for preparation for the psychological stressors and provide tools, such as
virtual reality, for prevention or treatment. It is very important for scientists to understand and be
prepared for any psychological challenges that astronauts could face on a long-duration mission.
Additionally, computer-based tools are essential to helping prevent and treat psychological problems.

Research Methodology:
Research Question:
What are ways to combat the psychological challenges of long duration space missions?
Research Thesis:
Modern technology, maintaining personal journals, terrestrial analog environments, and crew
selection can help combat the psychological challenges of long duration space missions, such as isolation
and confinement, separation from family and friends, and monotony.
Research Design Model:
Both qualitative research was conducted to determine the psychological challenges and treatment
and prevention methods. By looking at previously recorded information from on-orbit space missions,
along with information collected from analog environments, it is known what psychological issues
astronauts on a long-duration mission will face. The independent variable of this research is the long-
duration mission, with the dependent variable being the psychological challenges that are experienced.
These results will allow for preparation for a long-duration mission.
Data Collection:
A meta-analysis was performed to determine the benefits of using virtual reality for long-duration
space missions. Meta-analysis was the most appropriate data collection tool because there have been a
variety of studies on the restorative benefits of virtual reality (VR). This information can be analyzed and

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interpreted to be used in isolated and confined environments (ICE), such as missions to Mars. Other data
collection methods did not fit the research being conducted.
This research project aims to identify the psychological stressors of long-duration space missions
and present ways for the astronauts to treat or prevent these mental challenges, with a focus on modern
technology, more specifically virtual reality. This project will focus on computer-based treatment and
prevention methods to assist the therapy and recovery of astronauts, as opposed to not only having the
on-ground psychological support team that is currently provided.

Product Objectives:
After a year of study, it has been concluded that the best product would be a brochure containing
information on ways to combat psychological stressors such as isolation and confinement, separation from
family and friends, and monotony. This is the best solution because it is simple to create, yet very helpful. It
can easily be taken on a long duration mission because it is all digital and therefore will not take up
valuable space.
The target audience is astronauts who are preparing to go on or are currently on a long-duration
space mission. It is important to focus on this audience because the product will guide them through
psychological challenges themselves instead of relying on ground crew to help them.
Astronauts would be able to access the information digitally, as to not take up important physical
space on a spacecraft.

Approval:

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