"Somebody please pinch me! I must be dreaming." This however, was not the case for the Ames Research Associates whose dreams of interacting with astronauts on a flight experiment became a reality. The design and development of both an original and economical flight experiment proved to be the most challenging and ambitious component of the 1997 Academy program.
The Academy's experiment sought to examine dreaming in space. The transition from an earth environment to low earth orbit is undoubtedly one of the most drastic and extreme changes possible for the human body and mind. The astronauts/cosmonauts must come to terms with the inherent risk and vulnerability of their situation; the fatigue, both physical and mental, created by the tasks they must perform; the physiological changes resulting from the absence of gravity, and, of course, the stress of isolation.
The dream study sought to examine these factors by revealing universal elements which r appeain the dream records of crew members on board space shuttle or space station missions (MIR or ISS). It is a known fact that dream content is highly affected by the prior days' activities. Events, both stressful and pleasurable, are often repeated within the first cycle of dreaming. Furthermore, environmental influence, e.g. chronic sounds, often become incorporated into the individual's dream sequence. Given this information, it would not be surprising to discover that the extreme environment of space does not alter or in any way influence the dreams of crew members.
The 1997 Ames Astrobiology Academy was honored and privileged to interact with the STS-90 Neurolab crew on both a professional and personal level. The Neurolab mission specialists and payload specialists graciously spent time with the academy research assistants evaluating the study and adapting it for flight. Although the study did not fly on board STS-90 due to political restrictions, the dream for future missions lives on!
The STS-90 crew recently returned to Ames to give a debriefing of their mission. Following their discussion of Neurolab, the astronauts presented awards to many of the teams that were vital to the success of their mission. In acknowledgment of the 97 research associates' friendship and hard work in their attempt to fly the dream study, the crew presented the Academy with an signed Astrobiology Academy T-shirt and plaque commemorating our interaction. The 1997 group project was an excellent learning experience and continues to keep the Academy together and their dreams alive.