Scientists have found that the success of future Mars missions depends not only on technology, but also on the people themselves - their personalities. A study by the Stevens Institute of Technology in New Jersey has shown that teams with diverse psychological types are better equipped to cope with prolonged isolation and harsh working conditions.
The authors of the study, published in PLOS One on October 8, Iser Pena and Hao Chen, used computer simulations to create virtual teams for a 500-day Mars mission with “astronauts” with different personalities: conscientious, extroverted, sociable, and low-stress.
The results showed that teams with diverse personalities are more stress-resistant than homogeneous groups. Teams with conscientious and less nervous participants remained calm and efficient, even under high pressure.
According to scientists, maintaining psychological harmony during a Mars mission lasting approximately three years may be as crucial as technical reliability.
