Importance of Psychological Factors for Extraterrestrial Base and Site Planning

Abstract

Our habitats serve two basic functions: to define inside space that serves as shelter and to define outside space that is the rest of the world. Both aspects and their interaction are critical to human functioning and well-being. Thus, the importance of pathways through which we connect the external and internal environments cannot be overestimated, especially in the case of long-term living in isolated, confined and extreme conditions where opportunities for connectivity are limited and challenging. The design of all infrastructure elements, whether a surface or orbital habitat, must comply with unique requirements associated with launch and landing mass and volume constraints, radiation and orbital debris and micrometeoroids protection, availability of resources, resupply delivery, transportation means and power consumption. Although these requirements are continually being scrutinized and improved upon by scientific and engineering communities, there is a notable gap in similar considerations involving the impact of site and infrastructure factors that affect crew performance, health, and well-being. This paper presents excerpts of both official and unofficial reports from space crews as well as empirical psychological and human factors research regarding the importance of the ability to visually access the exterior environment, i.e., the world without, in space habitats. The discussion explores the ways in which infrastructure elements and site locations should be equally important considerations in decisions regarding habitat positioning and orientation on the site.