The Mars mission crews will need to have the right group composition, and a balanced gender and cultural mixture. Astronauts will need to get good cross-cultural training if the crew is an international mix. They will need to be trained together for a prolonged period of time (as crews are now) and have some choice in who is selected for the team (as commanders do now). For more about the crew requirements, click here.

The crew of STS-99

The relationship between the crews and Mission Control are also subject to strain. Delayed responses and criticism can be difficult for crew morale. 
 

Astronauts Jerry Carr and Bill Pogue aboard Skylab 3

Skylab astronauts were found to be more productive when they were allowed to select the order in which they performed assigned tasks than when Mission Control programmed them. Evidence from Antarctic winter-over expeditions also found that individuals prefer to make choices themselves rather than have them made for them.

Self-selection and scheduling of tasks can give crews a sense of personal responsibility and achievement, which can increase motivation and morale.

Since certain psychological problems will arise due to confinement issues, habitation requirements such as the self-selection and regulation of tasks, personal space, regular exercise, and good communications with friends and family back on Earth will help to ensure mission success. 

For more information, check out the links below:

NASA’s Human Crew to Mars Web Site

To take the Astronaut Quiz and see if you are cut out for long-duration flights click here.

Living In Space: Space Environments

Mars Academy: Crew Selection Issues
 

Questions to think about:

 
• What characteristics do you think are most important for an astronaut to have on a long-duration mission to Mars? Why?
• How should a commander handle conflict between two astronauts during a mission when this conflict might endanger the safety or success of a mission? 

Risks and Benefits