Research in Space Human Factors

For over 25 years, our project has conducted research in support of human spaceflight. Below are summaries for findings from two funded investigations into the relationship between personality, group culture and performance. The first (NAG 9-1274, Helmreich PI) examined archived personality data collected from astronauts and astronaut applicants between 1989 and 1995. The second (NSBRI NCC9-58, Wood PI) represented a collaboration between Baylor Medical College (PI J. Wood), The University of Texas at Austin, the National Institutes of Health (Co-I T. Philips) and the Australian Antarctic Division of the Australian Government (Co-I D. Lugg) and looked at personality and group influences on behaviour and coping at over winter Antarctic research stations.

ASTRONAUT SELECTION

Personality trait data were collected from 259 final stage astronaut applicants between 1989 and 1995 as part of a study of personality and performance in that population. These data were archived at the time of collection. Data collected included a modified version the NEO Five Factor Inventory (NEO-FFI; see below) and the UT Personal Characteristics Inventory (UT-PCI). Of these applicants, 63 were eventually selected to become active astronauts. Analyses of these data demonstrated no identifiable relationship between personality traits and eventual selection into the astronaut corps (Musson, Sandal, & Helmreich, 2004). Trait clusters identified previously in active duty astronauts (Rose, Fogg, Helmreich, & McFadden, 1994) were also identified in this population (Musson et al., 2004). Current analyses are investigating the relationship between baseline personality measures and career performance in this population.

ANTARCTIC EXPEDITIONARY CULTURE

Personality data (UT-PCI and NEO-FFI) were collected from 111 Australian Antarctic over winter personnel for two successive years (2000/2001 and 2001/2002). In initial comparison between year-one personnel (N=58) and Antarctic personnel from other countries (Norway, N= 34, and Great Britain, N=141) showed significant similarity in trait profiles between expeditioners from all three countries (as assessed by the UT-PCI). All three groups were characterized by lower-than-normal scores on negative interpersonal traits in contrast to comparative US student and adult populations (Musson, Sandal, Harper, & Helmreich, 2002). These findings suggest Antarctic personnel share common characteristics, contributing to a expeditionary culture that is at least partially influenced by environment-specific personality profiles. This has implications for the generalization of psychological research across national culture in this environment. Ongoing analyses are examining the relationship between personality and supervisory ratings of station personnel. Both Openness to new experience and low interpersonal negativity appear to predict multiple measures of performance in these settings.

ASTRONAUT AND ANALOGUE BASELINE COMPARISONS

Comparisons were made between active astronaut (N=66) and applicant astronaut (N=259) personality profiles and those from commonly studied analog environments, including the Antarctic stations described above (N=111), commercial airline pilots (N=152) and high stress professional groups such as surgeons and anesthesiologists (N=134). In general, astronauts were found to similar to professional groups (pilots, physicians) on traits related to achievement (conscientiousness, work ethic, achievement drive), but shared many characteristics with Antarctic personnel that related to affect and interpersonal orientation (low negativity, low aggressiveness, mild extraversion) (Musson, 2003; Musson & Helmreich, 2005).

For more information on our work in this area, please contact Dr. Dave Musson, Director, Centre for Simulation-Based Learning, Department of Anesthesia, McMaster University at musson@mcmaster.ca

Selected Publications

Below are selected publications related to our work in spaceflight human factors. For a full list of all project publications, click here.

    Musson, DM. Sandal, GM, Helmreich RL. (2004). Personality characteristics and trait clusters in final stage astronaut selection. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 75:342-349. (PubMed abstract)

    Musson, DM. (2003). Personality determinants of professional culture: evidence from astronauts, piltos and physicians. UT-HFRP Technical Report 2003-2. The University of Texas at Austin: Austin, Texas.

    Musson, DM, Sandal, GM, Harper, ML, Helmreich, RL (2002). Personality testing in Antarctic expeditioners; cross cultural comparisons and evidence for generalizability. Paper presented at the 53rd International Astronautical Congress, World Space Congress 2002, Oct 10-19, Houston Texas, 2002. Download pdf

    Helmreich, R.L. (2000). Culture and error in space: Implications from analog environments. Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine, 71(9-II), 133-139. (UTHFRP Pub249)

    Musson, D.M. (2000). A proposal for the integration of behavioural research into international space station operations. In M.S. El-Genk (Ed.), Proceedings of the Space Technology and Applications International Forum (pp. 148-153). American Institute of Physics, Albuquerque, NM, January 2000. (UTHFRP Pub251) Download pdf

    Musson, D. (1999). Psychological Concerns in Long Duration Spaceflight: Comparisons of Piloted Mars Mission Designs. Aerospace Crew Research Project Technical Report 99-06. Austin, Texas, The University of Texas at Austin.

    McFadden, T.J., Helmreich, R.L., Rose, R.M., & Fogg, L.F. (1994). Predicting astronaut effectiveness: A multivariate approach. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 65, 904-909. (UTHFRP Pub174A)

    Rose, R.M., Fogg, L.F., Helmreich, R.L., & McFadden, T.J. (1994). Psychological predictors of astronaut effectiveness. Aviation Space and Environmental Medicine, 65, 910-915. (UTHFRP Pub174)

    Rose, R. J., Helmreich, R. L., Fogg, L., & McFadden, T. J. (1993). Assessments of astronaut effectiveness. Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine, 64, 789-794. (UTHFRP Pub153)

    Helmreich, R. L. (1993). Perspectives on astronaut selection. In Proceedings of Space Psychology Days, European Space Agency (pp. 74-83). Villefranche-sur-Mer, France: European Space Agency. (UTHFRP Pub151)

    Helmreich, R.L., Wilhelm, J.A., & Foushee, H.C. (1988). Astronaut and aquanaut performance and adjustment behavioral issues in analogous environments. In Proceedings of the 18th Intersociety Conference on Environmental Systems. San Francisco, CA, July 11-13, 1988. (UTHFRP Pub116)

    Helmreich, R. L. (1987). Living in contained environments: Research implications from undersea habitats. In H. Ursano (Ed.), Individual and group behavior in toxic and contained environments: Proceedings of the conference. Washington: Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences. (UTHFRP Pub114)

    Helmreich, R.L. (1987). Psychology in space. Discovery, 10, 38-42. (UTHFRP Pub111)

    Helmreich, R.L. (1983). Applying social psychology in outer space: Unfulfilled promises revisited. American Psychologist, 38, 445-450. (UTHFRP Pub80)