Choosing the Right Stuff

The first detailed examination of the role of psychology and the behavioral sciences in space exploration.

For the first time the history of the psychological and psychiatric evaluation of astronaut and cosmonaut candidates is detailed. This book, however, documents how NASA underutilized, downplayed, then ultimately ignored psychiatric and psychological characteristics in selecting astronauts, until very recently.

For the first time the history of the psychological and psychiatric evaluation of astronaut and cosmonaut candidates is detailed. The general public and many professionals assume that psychological issues have been and will be extremely important factors in successful space exploration. This book, however, documents how NASA underutilized, downplayed, then ultimately ignored psychiatric and psychological characteristics in selecting astronauts, until very recen