Former Astronaut: No preparing for psychological impact of years in space Questions:

Multiple Choice:

1) What is the primary focus of NASA's Artemis program in 2025?

a) Sending a manned spacecraft to the moon

b) Sending a manned spacecraft to Mars

c) Conducting experiments on the International Space Station

d) Studying the atmosphere of Venus

2) According to NASA, how long is the estimated round trip to Mars for astronauts?

a) 7 to 10 days

b) 30 to 60 days

c) 16 to 21 months

d) 5 to 8 months

Short Answer Questions:

3) What are some of the challenges and concerns that astronauts might face during a Mars mission, according to the
article?

4) How does Terry Hart describe the differences between missions to the International Space Station and missions to Mars
in terms of psychological preparation?

5) According to the article, what factors contributed to public interest and support for space exploration in the past?

Critical Thinking Question:

6) Why do you think Terry Hart believes that the preparation for space missions is demanding, and what factors make it
psychologically challenging? Discuss the importance of psychological preparation for astronauts.

Extension Activities:

• Research and Report: Have students research NASA's Artemis program and its goals for lunar exploration. They
can create a report or presentation outlining the key objectives and challenges of the program.

• Debate: Organize a classroom debate on the topic of whether funding for space exploration should be prioritized
over funding for social programs. Divide the class into teams and have them present arguments for and against
space exploration funding.

Resources:

Astronaut Stress https://pbs39.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/f58197f7-c1a6-4afa-a4f6-1d5229521c73/f58197f7-c1a6-

4afa-a4f6-1d5229521c73/

https://pbs39.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/7d8262f8-3c99-4885-be2b-ffe9ec80ee9b/7d8262f8-3c99-4885-be2b-
ffe9ec80ee9b/
Video questions:

UPenn Sleep Center

• Why is tracking sleep-wake patterns important for astronauts on long-duration space missions?

• According to the video, where is the Icarus laboratory simulation located?

• Why is it important for participants in the simulation to meet specific astronaut -like requirements?

Critical Thinking:

• Discuss the significance of the quote from Scott Kelly’s book mentioned in the video; “tiny mistakes may
translate into catastrophic failures and events.” Relate this to the challenges of space exploration.

Terry Hart Video

• What are the main challenges associated with space flight mentioned by Terry Hart in this video?

• What is the significance of reaching speeds of approximately 17,000 miles per hour in space travel?

• What are some of the initial effects of weightlessness on astronauts and how do they adapt?

Critical thinking:

• How might the dangers of space travel be balanced with the potential rewards of space exploration?

Curriculum Links:

• Science: Space exploration, astronomy

• Psychology: Effects of isolation, confinement, communication and coping with challenges

• Current Events: Developments in space exploration and technology.