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The impact of challenging environments on individual functioning and performance must be examined from the perspective of physiological, medical, and psychological perspectives. Psychosocial factors impacting on human behavior and performance in extreme environments are critical components of mission success. Simulation studies of isolation and confinement cannot match real-world performance in which the environmental stressors contribute significantly to team adaptation and functioning. Qualitative analyses of participation and interpersonal interaction were conducted in a descriptive case study involving a deep caving expedition spending a total of 40 days underground in which group dynamics played a significant part in the dissolution of the group across mission time.

Early concern over the ability of men and women to perform efficiently in the space environment has been effectively dispelled by the success of the U.S. Space Program. Studies during the early phases of the program have demonstrated that crew reliability and performance is comparable to preflight levels. There are many factors which can affect performance and productivity. As we enter the Space Station Era, certain factors which have not come into play in the early space endeavors may prove to have a significant impact. Future performance studies on astronaut crews will need to evaluate and compensate for these new parameters.