Studies within HERA 8 will focus on the following themes:

• Crew autonomy with communication delays | On the International Space Station, astronauts have near-constant communication with mission control for guidance. However, Moon and Mars missions will involve communication delays, requiring crews to work more independently. Studies in HERA may focus on testing “smart” technologies, like augmented reality and artificial intelligence, to see how they can be optimized to assist crews in making decisions and solving problems during future deep-space journeys.
• Behavioral health and physiological effects of isolation and confinement | Spaceflight isolates crews from Earth, with limited sensory stimulation and exercise opportunities. Studies in HERA examine how this isolated environment affects physical and mental health. They also explore ways to counter any effects, such as enhancing exercise with sensory stimulation or other motivators.
• Teamwork | Cooperation is key to NASA’s missions, which often have crews from many national backgrounds. Studies in HERA can examine how cultural and linguistic differences affect team dynamics, communication, and performance in isolated, high-stress environments, aiming to improve teamwork across missions.
• Sleep Quality and Performance | Sleep quality is essential for astronaut performance. Studies in HERA examine how sleep affects cognitive function, mood, and physical performance, with crewmembers journaling their sleep patterns and their impact. The goal is to find strategies to improve sleep quality and manage disruptions on long-duration missions.

Students are encouraged to keep these themes in mind while designing their mission patch submission.