Psychology of Space Exploration
the limits. Furthermore, because they were under military command, they were used
to taking orders and were already cleared for top-secret technology. Mercury can-
didates had to be under 40 years of age, have graduated from college with a bach-
elor’s degree in science or engineering, have logged at least 1,500 hours flying jet
planes, and have graduated from test pilot school. Of course, they were expected to
be free of disease or illness and to demonstrate resistance to the physical stressors
of spaceflight, such as temperature extremes and rapid acceleration and decelera-
tion. To fit in the cramped confines of the Mercury capsule, their height could not
exceed 5 feet 9 inches. The first astronauts had five duties: survive, perform effec-
tively, add reliability to the automated system, complement instrument and satel-
lite observation with scientific human observation, and improve the flight system
through human engineering capabilities.^60
The initial Mercury project used two psychological approaches to selection.
One was the industrial-organizational model of select-in characteristics empha-
sizing astronaut proficiencies needed to successfully complete mission tasks. The
second was the psychiatric-clinical psychology model of select-out characteristics.
As Robert Voas and Raymond Zedekar point out, psychological qualifications fell
into two categories: abilities and personality.^61 In terms of aptitude and ability, they
include high intelligence, general scientific knowledge and research skills, a good
understanding of engineering, knowledge of operational procedures for aircraft and
missiles, and psychomotor skills such as those used to operate aircraft. As regards
personality, astronauts were to demonstrate a strong motivation to participate in
the program, high tolerance for stress, good decision-making skills, emotional matu-
rity, and the ability to work with others.
At that time, of 508 military test pilots, 110 met the general requirements and
69 were considered highly qualified. These were invited to the Pentagon for a brief-
ing and interviews. Then, 32 were sent to the Lovelace clinic for an extraordinary
physical exam and, after certification at Lovelace, to Wright Air Development
Center in Dayton, Ohio, for tests of performance under stress. Here, the candidates
were subjected to vibration, acceleration and deceleration, sitting with their feet
- M. M. Link, Space Medicine in Project Mercury (Washington, DC: NASA, 1965).
- R. Voas and R. Zedekar, “Astronaut Selection and Training,” chap. 10 in Mercury
Project Summary Including the Results of the Fourth Manned Orbital Flight, May 15 and 16, 1963
(Washington, DC: Office of Scientific and Technical Information, NASA, October 1963).