A Psychiatric "Back-Up" System for Selection of Space Crews
CARLOS J. G. PERRY 1
1 Psychiatry Branch, Aerospace Medical Sciences Division, United States Air Force School of Aerospace Medicine, SAM Box 4333, Brooks Air Force Base, Texas 78235
Personality factors in Astronaut selection are becoming especially important on the eve of space missions of extended duration. But psychiatric selection is fraught with imperfections and inadequacies. To compensate for these, the author presents a "back-up" system which involves the psychiatrist in a step-ladder type of monitoring of space crews during their training. Direct contact between psychiatrist and crew member is minimized; the system makes primary use of flight surgeons.
