Sorrow on the Space Station

Three men—two astronauts and one cosmonaut, flying 244 miles
above Earth in the International Space Station—are probably feeling
somewhat shaken by the Columbia disaster. The entire tight-knit astronaut
corps has felt the loss of their colleagues; but for those in space,
bereavement will have to happen in zero gravity during their time away
from Earth.

"They knew they might experience a serious personal loss while in
space and they accept that," says James Carter, Ph.D., of Dartmouth
Medical School. "If they aren't willing to make that commitment, then
they are not flying." Carter notes that previous employees of the space
station have dealt with loss before, including that of family
members.

"We are dealing with tremendously well-adjusted people," he says.
"That's part of the reason they are selected." Of the elite astronaut
corps, only a select few are chosen for long-duration missions. They are
chosen because they can deal with difficult situations such as the loss
of the Columbia.

Even so, NASA is concerned about the psychological ramifications of
long-duration missions—such as a possible trip to Mars. Carter is
now working with NASA in developing virtual reality therapy for
astronauts; a trip to Mars could predispose even the most well adjusted
person to psychological disorders such as anxiety and depression.

To read more about Carter's research:

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Read more about bereavement:

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