The recent advances in the psychological aspects of space station design are discussed, including the impact of the increase in awareness of both the public in general as well as space environmental experts of the importance of psychological factors when designing space stations and training astronauts

Ludwig, E.

English

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NASA TE-a!NICAL h9EMORANDUM
	
NASA TM-77620
,SPACE STATIONS: LIVING IN ZERO GRAVITY;
D MLOT-INMAL TASK FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS  AND
SPACE ENVIRONMENT.Al EXPERTS
Eberhard Ludwig
Translation of: "Ratmistationen: Wohnen in Schwerelosigkeit;
Entwicklungsaufgabe fuer Psychologen and Raumgestalter",
Umschau, No. 18, 1984, pp. 526-527.
(NASA-TM-77620) SPACE STATICNS: LIVING IN
	 N84-33454
ZERO GRAVITY, DEVELOPMENTAL TASK FOR
PSYCHOLOGISTS AND SPACE. ENVIECNMENTAL
EXPERTS (National Aeronautics and Space
	 Unclas
Administra'ticn) 10 p HC A02 /1MF A01 CSC.I; 22B G3/18 23970
NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WkSH.INGTON, D.C. 20546 	 SEPTEMBER 1984
STANDARD TITLE PAGE
1. Report N^^77620
NASA
2,	 Government Accession No. 3.	 Recipient's Catalog No.
4. Title and Suhtitle
SPACE STATIONS: LIVING IN ZERO GRAVITY;
DEVELOIMENTAL TASK FOR PSYCHOLOGISTS AND
5,	 Report Date
SEPTEMBER 1984
6.	 Performing Organi s ation4Cu4e
7. Author(s) 8,	 Performing Organisation Report No.
Ludwig, Ebe7,'hard 10,	 Work Unit No,
----- 11,	 Contract or Grant No.
9. Performing Organization Name and Address
13,	 Type of Report and Period CoveredNATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE MWINIS TRATION
WASHINGTON D.C.	 20546 Translation
1I,	 Sponsoring Agency Code
11 2,
51e1E1TQ1r0I'VAI°enA RONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
WASHINGTON D.C.	 20546
15, Supplementary Notes
Translation of: "Raumstationen: Wohnen in Schwerelosigkeit;
Ent;,,rickluagsaufgabe fuer Psychologen and Raumgestaltertt,
Umschau, No. 18, 1984, pp. 526-527.
16. Abstract
The recent advances in the psychological aspects of space
station design are discussed, including the impact of the
increase in awareness of both the public in general as well
as space environmental experts of the importance of psycho-
logical factors when designing space stations and training
astronauts.
17.	 Key Words (Selected by Author(s)) 18,	 Distribution Statement
Unclassified-Unlimited
19.	 Security Clossif. (of this report) 20.	 Security Classif. (of this page) 21• No, of Pages 22.	 Price
Unclass ified Unclassified 11
'	 Y
.s
t ,
*i
ar.
wCommentary
Space Stations: Living in Zero Gravity
Developmental Task for Psychologists and
Space Environmental Experts
Eberhard Ludwig, Graduate Engineer*
On May 12, 1983, a Soviet- Soyuz spacecraft was launched for a
manned space flight. Cosmonaut Lebedev kept a diary, from which
excerpts of his notes were published in the Moscow edition of
Pravda. These excerpts provide revealing insights into the
psychological conditions of cosmonauts in the current stage of
space fJight. It appears that with increasing amounts of time
i
spent in orbit, the initial euphoria subsides, while the desire
to return home increases simultaneously. In the press,
especially in the USA, the morale report has gained attention, and
has added to the awareness that the laws of technology alone do
not determine the layout of spacecraft; rather, the human psyche
must be taken into consideration if mankind is to feel at home in
space.
The first phase of the manned space station is to consist of
laboratory and workstation operations, which the crew will
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operate for a half-a-year, after which they would be relieved by
a new crew of specialists. Similar to work on oil rigs, arctic
observation stations, and other short-term posts on earth, the
	
a
crew would be expected to live with uncomfortable and spartan
	 t
conditions. Living conditions play only a subordinate role under
such conditions. The individual must accept the short-term
stressfull health conditions, and is subject to temporary psychic
	 i
stress due to poor living conditions. Although there will be
attempts to make the living conditions as pleasant as possible,
the relaxation periods restfull, and to increase the value of the
experience of living in an altered environment, nonetheless the
psychological and environmental aspects will play a central role
only in the later, second phase, which will be concerned with
the conditions of actually living in space.
Technology is increasingly determining environmental conditions
even here on Earth, even if many natural conditions still have an
effect also. However, with the help of cutting-edge
technological know-how, space experts are constructing an entirely
artificial world in the middle of the cold, airless desert of
,i
	
space. They are being confronted with difficult, and sometimes	
t
j	 unfamiliar conditions. They are as yet unable to use practical
experience and proven methods to overcome the most frequently
occurring phenomena, such as the lack of gravity, reduced air
a
circulation and the stress on the sensory organs, such as
- 3 -
41
6
m	 P
A
through excessive noise. Their task is to utilize the newest
discoveries and test them experimentally. In fulfilling this
task, psychological and space environmental aspects can not
easily be separated from one another. When mankind expresses
itself by constructing a building, the building is an external
reflection of the human psyche. In turn, this then has a reverse
effect on mankind, influencing especially his outlook on life.
This means that all available kinds of technology and
the arts must be utilized. A long-term process of increasing
awareness and empirical examination will be necessary to determine
the final design, fulfilling not only the technological
purpose, but also taking into consideration the human psyche, and
thus providing suitable conditions for the new tasks demanded of
humanity.
If this problem is compared to the development of the automobile,
the current space stations would resemble the early models of
Gottfried Daimler from the year 1886, while we are facing a
future project for the 21st century that goes beyond the concepts
of today's technology to overcome the known difficulties, and
effortlessly fulfills all imaginable requirements. If the
development of the automobile required one hundred years, we are
hoping to utilize our expanded knowledge and computer expertise
to formulate a strategy to redu;:e this period of development to
just a few years. I would like to elaborate on some of the
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Wwell-known applications as follows.
In the media, the external shape, or the entire concept of the
spacecraft, plays the dominant role. At first, it becomes apparent
that the designs of the Americans are markedly different from those
of the Soviets. NASA has selected a building-block system, which
can be limitlessly expanded: and enlarged. However, the Soviet space
planning authorities are following a different principle. They
already have space stations of the Salyut series, which may be
altered by docking connections along the axial plane. This extremely
simple system is both the current design as well as a design for the
future, which would encompass much larger dimensions. These
designs represent the basic concepts of their respective economies
and technologies; here, both are very open and variable, while
there they are closed, centrally controlled systems with
pre-determined boundaries. One can assume that the future trends
will come closer to each other.
Observers here on Earth would first be impressed by the exterior
shape, which is only natural, as they are the ones who would be
paying for it, and they will have to be enticed to fund the
operation using their fantasy through advertisement; the
astronaut, howr-ver, will only rarely have a chance to see the
entire station. For him, the inner structure, the divisions
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4
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Ai
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among the various sections and the connecting passageways will be
of greater importance. T1,ey represent the streets and plazas of
a city out of history, where humans met and worked with one 	 a
another without other means of transportation. A logical and
carefully planned arrangement should ensure that the main living
area is of a suitable nature. In no case should the final result
be merely a result of technical necessity. We can assume that
designs significantly different from what we might have expected
will be the result. The social and esthetic concepts of human 	
r
t
life up until now have been directly influenced by gravity. There
was an up and a down; standing upright was a part of human
dignity. The lack of gravity in near-Earth orbit, which is in
actuality a state of permanent free-fall, does not result in any
such type of orientation system. Even the time references are
lacking, such as day and night and the seasons. Other common
references, such as light and shade or head. and cold are only
experienced in excess, and can only be used in filtered form, and
may be totally replaced by technological means.
The current models are merely Earth structures placed into zero
gravity; the American models are the same size as the dimensions
of the Space Shuttle cargo bay, then built up either vertically or
horizontally. The Soviet Salyut spacecraft, which may be more
independent in its dimensions, is also designed with gravity in
mind. However, it is usual to forego long-term planning, and
- 6 -
simply design a short-term auxiliary structure, such as the
retractable landing gear of a modern airplane. It is possible
and logical to design a station in a circular shape, with usable
surface all around, as one does not need a surface to walk on; this
would result in an area without hard-to-reach places, such as the
ceiling of a room. The passageways should be similar, where one
would not have to move in a two-dimensional direction, but rather
where three-dimensional planning would be required. It would be
necessary to replace the gravitational orientation system with
another similar orientation system,. which would provide a
refers:nce point for the entire structure.
Up until now, the sleeping quarters in spacecraft consisted of a
kind of sleeping bag which was placed along a wall. In manned
space stations, it is clearly evident from the required standards
previously mentioned that each astronaut will have to have his own
private area provided for him; it will have to be arranged according to
psychological criteria„ Living quarters will be characterized
by warner colors and more natural surfaces than the working
areas, which will be lighter and brighter. The special attraction
of this type of living will achieve a new level of interior
architecture, similar to the interior architecture of ships,
which strongly influenced interior arrangement on land.
Technology will play a dominant role in all areas, and will
present itself in many new ways. It will have to be presented
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Vas more lively and .friendlier, if it is to reflect the current:
requirements.
Now we turn once again to the psychological aspects, as shown in
the diary of Cosmonaut Lebedev. The impact of heritage, family
and life up until now plays an increasing role. Wife and child,
youth and childhood, parents and homeland, all these appear in a
new light, and have to be assimilated. The apparent difficulties
experienced by the highly emotional Soviets were only suppressed by
their heroic idealism, and not overcome. However, extensive
psychological training allows the required emotional level to be
attained, which increases the ability to experience everything
r
new. This then prepares them for acceptance of new developments,
and especially helps them to avoid homesickness. One can internalize
psychological feelings so mach, that the majority of them need not
be carried along into space in order to maintain the integrity of
the soul, overcome the fear of being left behind, and thus be
prepared to experience the naw situation.
In the course of the coming optimization process, models will
;s
have to be developed and tested. Space environmental designs of
I
all types, incorporating light, ventilation and daylight orientation,
l	 just to name a few examples, will be developed, as well as models
of psychological development, which in the most optimistic case will
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.... r. ^	 Ire rB.r.,r
A'4B	 lead to a new level of awareness of the modern, "zero gravity"
man. This will then be of real value for mankind, and is more
important than all other technological and economic advantages.
I
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*Graduate Engineer E. Ludwig, Bergische LandsLrasse 313,
4000 Duesseldorf 12; 'telephone: 02 11/28 10 28.
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Space stations: Living in zero gravity, developmental task for psychologists and space environmental experts

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