One step beyond

That’s the question researchers at Loughborough University are now exploring, to better understand the impact of space travel on astronauts’ emotional wellbeing. And the findings could have a huge impact on all our lives.

Dr Patrick Stacey is a researcher on a mission. He is driven by an interest in human health in extreme environments, looking at the emotional health of patients undergoing cancer treatment, for example. He wants to know how people tick, and what help they might need to cope in difficult circumstances.

So, Patrick wanted to research the most inhospitable environment he could think of. But what business school would enable Patrick to follow his purpose and carry out ground-breaking research to help not just the space sector but take human understanding further, too?

As Patrick himself says, "The interdisciplinary nature of the research we do at Loughborough means we are able to push the boundaries of research, and combine expertise in emotional health and systems science into one project."

Despite all their military-grade training, many astronauts struggle psychologically as a result of their experience. Buzz Aldrin became depressed and an alcoholic. Lisa Nowak attacked a woman her ex-boyfriend had become involved with – and there are many, many other examples of astronauts experiencing difficulties.

"Surprisingly it’s an area that hasn’t been investigated in detail before, but we could see huge value in researching this, particularly as the space agencies are now in the early phases of preparing for Mars," explains Dr Patrick Stacey.

"You can’t have astronauts struggling with emotional and other health problems on those missions, when it’s a seven-month, 50 million-mile journey back to earth."

Patrick and his team at Loughborough’s Centre for Information Management are now working on the first ever research study investigating astronauts’ emotions. Conducting ‘emotional analysis’ of astronauts’ Twitter posts and interviewing members of the Austrian space forum, they are building a detailed picture of people’s emotional experience in space.

The second stage of the team’s work will be to redesign spacecraft and space stations with astronauts’ emotional wellbeing in mind.

The team’s work has only been possible thanks to the close involvement of the media and space agencies, including the UK Space Agency, NASA, ESA and the Austrian Space Forum.

"The space agencies are really excited about what we’re doing, because they want their astronauts to be as well prepared and resilient as possible – and emotions are a vital piece of that puzzle," says Patrick.

The Loughborough team consists of a huge variety of scientists from an array of disciplines, including information management and computer science, all of whom brings a different angle and expertise to the project. This will come in especially useful as the team look at how spacecrafts and space systems can be redesigned to better support people’s emotional health.

Patrick explains that from a systems science perspective, astronauts are essentially individuals working within an extremely complex system.

"There are hundreds of different systems on the International Space Station, like experimental labs, life support systems and so on. And when you look at the environment, it’s like a hospital, it’s not that inspiring. Those surroundings aren’t going to reduce astronauts’ anxiety levels, which are already high because of being so far away from family and friends, and all the other physical and mental constraints they’re under.

"So our work here, really, is about looking at how can we help people still be human within a highly complex system. In practical terms, that’s most likely going to mean looking at everything from computer systems and sleeping arrangements – right down to things like the use of music and how easy it is to make a cup of tea on board. In short: how can we help astronauts feel better, despite being millions of miles away from home?"

Scratch-resistant lenses, insulin pumps and LED lights are all technology that were originally created for use in space. Now the research at Loughborough Business School could lead to emotional benefits here on earth, too.

Patrick has been involved in similar emotion-focused design projects in cancer care facilities at Charing Cross Hospital, unpicking the impact of the hospital environment on people’s wellbeing and recovery. His work resulted in Maggie’s cancer care facilities across the UK being redesigned, which led to significant improvements in wellbeing.

Now, Patrick and his team are uncovering new ways to help humans in other extreme environments. For instance, one of the UK Space Agency’s aims is to Champion the power of space to inspire people, offer greener, smarter solutions, and support a sustainable future.

Looking at emotional wellbeing that goes way beyond the earth’s atmosphere shows how Loughborough is literally pushing the boundaries of what is possible. The research will provide benefits to people working in a huge range of industries, including miners, engineers and submariners, for example, pinpointing new, sustainable ways to help people deal with stress in remote or inhospitable conditions. When you have a purpose behind your research, the sky really is the limit.