After over 40 years of robotic exploration on Mars, human contact with the martian surface is closer than ever. (Daines, 2015) Following countless different propositions, the 21st century has one outstanding proposal from NASA. After recent controversy around lack of consideration for human health from a previous plan by company Mars One, has NASA done enough to show that benefits of Mars exploration outweigh the implications on the researchers themselves? (Chu and Office, 2014)
Risks involved with cognitive and behavioural health are of upmost importance in deep-space due to isolation from Earth. Isolation can not only lead to a variety of performance risks, but even psychiatric disorders such as depression. With deep-space exploration, not …show more content…
Additionally, despite NASA’s HERA research endeavours, NASA is yet to propose any valid strategies to reduce any behavioural risks during their planetary research on Mars. ISS missions have also failed to show any potential issues in this area due to the ease of access to support systems on Earth and the ability to go back as needed. (Office of Inspector General, 2015) Isolation from social support often leads to psychiatric disorders such as depression. Environmental factors are also thought to be at play, suggesting that the unpredictable martian terrain may also induce mental health issues. (CORNWELL and WAITE, 2009) On Mars, contact with experts and proper medication is not only brings up the issue of transportation, but the issue with how medication may be effected in deep-space. Even if the technology was available now, the benefits to science definitely do not outweigh the multiple risks. Even when looking at the benefits with disregard for the health of astronauts themselves, the contributions to science may be reduced due to the inability to have proper team performance due to possible mental/cognitive health issues with
Risks involved with cognitive and behavioural health are of upmost importance in deep-space due to isolation from Earth. Isolation can not only lead to a variety of performance risks, but even psychiatric disorders such as depression. With deep-space exploration, not …show more content…
Additionally, despite NASA’s HERA research endeavours, NASA is yet to propose any valid strategies to reduce any behavioural risks during their planetary research on Mars. ISS missions have also failed to show any potential issues in this area due to the ease of access to support systems on Earth and the ability to go back as needed. (Office of Inspector General, 2015) Isolation from social support often leads to psychiatric disorders such as depression. Environmental factors are also thought to be at play, suggesting that the unpredictable martian terrain may also induce mental health issues. (CORNWELL and WAITE, 2009) On Mars, contact with experts and proper medication is not only brings up the issue of transportation, but the issue with how medication may be effected in deep-space. Even if the technology was available now, the benefits to science definitely do not outweigh the multiple risks. Even when looking at the benefits with disregard for the health of astronauts themselves, the contributions to science may be reduced due to the inability to have proper team performance due to possible mental/cognitive health issues with