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During future long-duration space missions, crewmembers will be subjected to periods of free time which may be monotonous and hypostimulating. Ground-based studies and Russian space missions have shown that dysphoria and interpersonal tension can occur during these times, and our survey of 54 astronauts and cosmonauts suggests that long-duration space travelers value access to media that can be used to occupy free time. Activities should be individualized, capable of privacy, and flexible enough to account for changing preferences. Important media include audio and video cassettes, news teleprinters, books, two-way televisions, games, and hobby and professional supplies.

Future space missions will involve multi-national crews of men and women who will perform complicated tasks over long periods of time. Under these conditions, social and cultural factors will play a significant role in influencing crew morale, cohesiveness, and performance. Important socio-cultural issues include language differences between crew members, cultural and racial biases, gender stereotyping, and differences in career motivation. Negative aspects of these issues include the scapegoating and isolation of individuals who are seen as different from the rest of the crew; the formation of subgroups, which creates divisiveness and unhealthy competition; the presence of interpersonal tension, which leads to decreased cohesiveness and increased withdrawal and territorial behavior; and the displacement of tension and anger to colleagues and families on Earth, which leads to poor crew-ground communications.