An important part of maintaining wellbeing while aboard the ISS is managing feelings of homesickness and isolation, particularly for long duration missions. Astronauts employ a variety of strategies to maintain connections to home. For instance, windows with a view of Earth were cited as an effective means to reduce the sense of isolation and hermetic encapsulation while in space. Conversely, the lack of windows in many parts of the station contributed to an additional sense of separation from Earth. Communication with friends and family also helps maintain ties to home and improves an astronaut’s mental state. The ability to do so has improved over time with access to internet, email, and real-time video connection.
In addition, the lack of sensory variation on the ISS contributes to a disconnection from home. Given the extremely stable temperature, artificial lighting, and constant noise of machinery, the ISS lacks the seasonal and temporal rhythms humans are accustomed to on Earth. These conditions have yet to be addressed outside of astronaut improvisation. Windows served as the only reminder of the 90-minute sunrise-sunset cycles, and the sounds of thunderstorms and other periodic weather events were occasionally played by astronauts in the station to diversify the sonic environment.
Finally, art, music, and food brought from Earth to the ISS serve to anchor astronauts back to their homes, offering moments of personal comfort and cultural exchange. These connections to home become more tenuous the further we travel from Earth. What if Earth is no longer visible through the windows? How will the increasing communications lag between astronauts and Earth affect both connections to loved ones as well as mission operations? Maintaining connections to home poses unique design challenges, especially for long-distance space flight.
