The Scientific Research of Artists: My Hope

“Space environments are characterized by isolation, confinement, deprivation and risk. Such environments may be expected to place heavy demands on astronauts’ psychological and social resources. On many future missions, the perceptual field (both interior and exterior of a space craft) will be relatively unchanging.”
—Mary M. Connors, Living Aloft: Human Requirements for Extended Spaceflight [17]

It is my hope that scientists will consider the following relevant scientific questions raised as a part of Research Project 33 as the basis for further investigations. These ideas, hypotheses and questions evolved during the 10 years of research I conducted prior to the 1998 KC135 flight.

Considering that meals, sleep and recreation can influence the performance and morale of space crews, I speculated that collaborative creative activities would also enhance person-to-person relationships in space. Specifics for research might include the following: Would the opportunity to create art during space flight motivate one to perform needed physical and mental exercise? Can arm-hand steadiness, finger dexterity, hand-eye coordination, perceptual speed and reaction time all be improved by integrating painting and other forms of expression as alternative leisure time activities? Can heightened experiences of right hemispheric processes in a microgravity environment evoke memories for an individual that would facilitate a sense of safety and satisfaction?

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