What does it really take to be a good astronaut?

In this episode, Grace is joined by Chartered Psychologist Louise Weston to explore the psychology of space work, from the personality traits linked to astronaut success to the team dynamics that shape performance in isolated, high-pressure environments.

Drawing on research from space missions and Mars simulation studies, they discuss how communication, conflict, stress and motivation influence team effectiveness, and why diverse crews perform better under pressure.

From astronaut selection to the future of Mars exploration, this episode looks at what space can teach us about resilience, teamwork, and human performance when the stakes are highest.

Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and all major podcast platforms.

References:

• Pena I, Chen H (2025) Exploring team dynamics and performance in extended space
  missions using agent-based modeling. PLoS One 20(10): e0332496. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0332496