Space station and spacecraft environmental conditions and human mental health: Specific recommendations and guidelines

Abstract

The way that a given environment may influence human mental health is widely established, with decades of research linking anxiety, depression, stress, productivity, and general mood with all facets of a given environment, including noise levels, lighting, air quality, and other factors. The environmental conditions of a space habitat have far reaching consequences for human mental health and should be carefully managed. This manuscript serves to briefly review what is known about the main components of a space habitat (e.g., noise levels, lighting, air quality, privacy, plant life, etc.), and provide specific and clear recommendations for mission planners and space habitat designers. Where appropriate, opportunities for future research are highlighted.