Intercultural Interaction of Russian-American Space Crews

Abstract

NASA has recently directed the United States into the largest global partnership in U.S. history — the development of an International Space Station. In order to collaborate successfully in this unique setting, participants must develop a strong sense of teamwork, camaraderie, and partnership. Previous research indicates a variety of factors, such as differences in cultural background and environmental factors, that may affect the ability to develop these successful relationships. This study analyzes cultural variance and disclosure dynamics between Russian cosmonauts and American astronauts