Spacefaring: The Human Dimension

The Stars Have Always Called Us, but only for the past forty years or so have we been able to respond by traveling in space. This book explores the human side of spaceflight: why people are willing to brave danger and hardship to go into space, how human culture has shaped past and present missions, and the effects of space travel on health and well-being. A comprehensive and authoritative treatment of its subject, this book combines statistical studies, rich case histories, and gripping anecdotal detail as it investigates the phenomenon of humans in space -- from the earliest spaceflights to the missions of tomorrow.
Drawing on a strong research base in the behavioral sciences, Albert A. Harrison covers such aspects of spaceflight as habitability needs, crew selection and training, stress management, group dynamics, accidents, and more. He tells what it's like to sleep, eat, work, and have fun in space and discusses the problems and opportunities that arise during both short- and long-term journeys. Harrison concentrates on recent and impending missions including the space shuttle, Mir and the International Space Station, a return to the moon, and a possible human expedition to Mars. He also touches on some futuristic topics, such as space tourism, space settlements, and interstellar travel.
With its inclusion of current research findings and recently released scientific and anecdotal material on humans in space, this book is an excellent source for understanding the human side of space travel. In addition to taking a close look at spacefarers themselves, Spacefaring reviews the broad organizational and political contexts that shape human progress toward the heavens. With the construction of the International Space Station in progress, the human journey to the stars continues, and this book will surely help guide the way.

• 1. Why Space?
• 2. Spaceflight Human Factors
• 3. Hazards and Countermeasures
• 4. Life Support
• 5. Habitability
• 6. Selection and Training 98
• 7. Stress and Coping
• 8. Group Dynamics
• 9. At Work
• 10. Mishaps
• 11. Off Duty
• 12. Space Tourism
• 13. Space Settlements
• 14. Interstellar Migration
• 15. Restoring the Deram