A Case for Nature in Long-Haul Space Exploration

The recent uncrewed Artemis I mission marked humanity’s return to the active exploration of cislunar space and beyond. The human crews of upcoming long-haul missions will experience extended periods during which they are confined to the built environments of their orbital vehicles and surface facilities. The resulting absence of nature during these extended missions lasting from weeks to years could prove detrimental to the achievement of mission objectives. Incorporating elements of nature into mission design has the potential to measurably promote cognitive functioning among human crews. Specifically, the use of audio–visual equipment already onboard the current and future crewed vehicles would provide a ready set of opportunities to leverage biophilic design in support of mission success and without presenting a significant load on the power dynamics of the relevant craft or the need to remove to a virtual reality environment.