Forget the deadly radiation, a seven-month trip to Mars is going to be very very boring. At least that’s what worrying researchers in the NASA-funded Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) project. According to the New York Times, boredom’s effect on human brain activity is largely unstudied, but scientists are worried that a lack of stimulation could be extremely detrimental. Researchers at HI-SEAS are attempting to understand the effects of boredom and searching for innovative ways to keep astronauts’ brains entertained.
Why boredom could be deadly on the long trip to Mars
Abnormal behavior, such as manic pacing and self-injury, has been documented in captive animals who lack any form of mental stimuli. Similarly, isolated scientists in Antarctica have exhibited strange behaviors, such as wandering outside in sub-zero temperatures without proper attire. Even the smallest errors can be deadly when floating millions of miles from earth, so understanding and combating extreme boredom could make or break a manned Mars mission.
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