The University of Silesia in Katowice has signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to monitor the mental and behavioural health of astronauts on the International Space Station (ISS). The test person will be a Polish astronaut.
The aim of the research project is to monitor the mental and behavioural health of astronauts, analyse work efficiency and interactions with nature and the technological environment during a space mission. Scientists want to identify key traits that should be taken into account during the selection and training of astronauts, and diagnose the most critical phases of a space mission. On this basis, they want to propose adequate support programmes and psychological interventions.
'In the last days of April, the University of Silesia in Katowice signed a contract with the European Space Agency (ESA) to conduct research on the International Space Station (ISS) during a mission with the participation of a Polish astronaut. The research will be carried out by the AstroMentalHealth team led by Dr. Agnieszka Skorupa from the Institute of Psychology of the University of Silesia’, said the university press release.
Currently, the only astronaut preparing for the Polish space mission is Sławosz Uznański, a project astronaut of the European Space Agency (ESA).
The University of Silesia will be represented by Dr. Dagna Kocur and Dr. Mateusz Paliga from the Institute of Psychology of the University of Silesia. The team also includes scientists from other centres: Professor Dariusz Galasiński from the Centre for Interdisciplinary Research into Health and Illness at the University of Wroclaw, Dr. Justyna Ziółkowska from SWPS University and Konrad Opaliński from the University of Zielona Góra.
The team members also include representatives of the company Space is More: Leszek Orzechowski and Agata Mintus, who manages the analogue space habitat Lunares. The habitat will serve as a testing area for measurement procedures a site of the 'mirror mission'.
The project is implemented as part of the European Space Agency Research Campaign: Call for Polish activities to fly on ISS; Innovation Area: Human and Robotic Exploration.
The project budget is EUR 274,425. (PAP)
PAP - Science in Poland, Urszula Kaczorowska
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