Behavioral Healthoff-limits and that personal hang-ups should be put aside in favor of the mission.^22
Michael Collins and his colleagues liked the John Wayne–type image created for
the early astronauts and did not want it tarnished.^23 Flying in space was a macho,
masculine endeavor, and there were those who made an effort to reserve the term
“astronaut” for men, referring to women who sought to fly in space as “astronau-
trix,” “astro-nettes,” “feminauts,” and “space girls.”^24
Marc Shepanek points out that today’s astronauts are very much aware of the
possible effects of stress, boredom, and many other factors on safety, performance,
and quality of life in space.^25 He notes that while many of them favor research on
these topics, not all stand ready to volunteer as test subjects. The concern is that
despite strong assurances of confidentiality, one of the results of their participation
could be disqualification. This means that operational psychologists cannot also
conduct research: the role of the therapist or consulting organizational psychologist
must remain sacrosanct with no hints of dual allegiance to research.^26 Many kinds of
workers, including those in the military and law enforcement, worry about breaches
of confidentiality that have adverse repercussions on their careers. Worries about a
breach of confidentiality are periodically reinforced by officials who release infor-
mation despite assurances to the contrary.
Efforts to protect the astronauts’ image are evident in the cordon that NASA
public relations and legal teams establish to prevent outsiders from obtaining poten-
tially damaging information, the micromanagement of astronauts’ public appear-
ances, and the great care with which most astronauts comport themselves in public.
Even today, there are topics that are considered “too hot” to be included in other-
wise comprehensive and informed discussions.
- K. McQuaid, “Race, Gender and Space Exploration: A Chapter in the Social History of
the Space Age,” Journal of American Studies 41, no. 2 (2007): 405–434. - Weitekamp, Right Stuff, Wrong Sex.
- Ibid., p. 78.
- M. Shepanek, “Human Behavioral Research in Space: Quandaries for Research Subjects
and Researchers,” Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 76, no. 6, sect. II (June 2005):
B25–B30. - C. F. Flynn, “An Operational Approach to Long-Duration Mission Behavioral Health
and Performance Factors,” Aviation, Space, and Environmental Medicine 76, no. 6, sect. II (June
2005): B42–B51.