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Forty Years of Psychological and Psychiatric Selection of NASA AstronautsThe purpose of this presentation is to chronicle the history and development of the psychological selection process for NASA astronauts. For over 40 years, astronaut applicants have undergone rigorous medical testing to qualify for candidacy. Psychological selection has an equally long history, dating back to 1958, when psychological requirements were established for astronauts during the Mercury program. However, for many years, psychological selection consisted of psychiatric screening for psychopathology. As we approach the day in which the first ISS crew will live and work in space for months at a time, it becomes clear that both the psychological criteria and the selection system to detect said criteria have changed. This presentation discusses the events that led to the current, dual-phase selection system that is used to select individuals into the astronaut corps. Future directions for psychological selection will also be addressed.
Document ID
20000085964
Acquisition Source
Johnson Space Center
Document Type
Preprint (Draft being sent to journal)
Authors
Holland, Albert W.
(NASA Johnson Space Center Houston, TX United States)
Date Acquired
August 19, 2013
Publication Date
January 1, 2000
Subject Category
Behavioral Sciences
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Work of the US Gov. Public Use Permitted.

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