Psychology in Space
Featuring NASA scientists
Psychological Health and Behavioral Resilience in Spaceflight
This is the fifth session of the Exploring Bioastronautics Research at Ohio State series, presented by the Human Performance Collaborative and Starlab. Join us Friday, March 27, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM, virtually on Zoom, for an in-depth exploration of thehuman factors that shape performance, wellbeing, and decision-making in the extreme environment of space.
This workshop will examine the unique psychological rigors of long-duration missions, including cognitive performance under microgravity and behavioral health risks. We will explore topics such as cohesion and conflict in isolated habitats, the selection and training of astronauts with a focus on risk prevention, and established best-practices to support resilience in space.
Program Overview
This session will feature remarks from NASA experts Dr. Rachel Passmore, an operational psychologist, and Dr. Suzanne Bell, lead scientist of the Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory. Additional program details will be announced soon, with a full agenda released as speaker availability is finalized.
Panel Discussion: Come Prepared!
A significant portion of the meeting will be dedicated to a interactive panel discussion. We encourage all participants to bring questions and topics of interest related to psychology in space. This is your opportunity to engage directly with experts, share ideas, and explore emerging challenges and opportunities in the field.
Speakers:
Suzanne Bell, PhD – Lead Scientist, Behavioral Health and Performance Laboratory, NASA
Rachel Passmore, PsyD, ABPP – Operational Psychologist, NASA