The contribution of Romanian psychologists to Dumitru Prunariu's spaceflight

Abstract

The article analyzes the role of psychologists in the success of the Soyuz 40 mission in May 1981, marking the 45th anniversary of the first Romanian spaceflight. The paper documents the complex process, coordinated by Dr. Valeriu Ceaușu at the Centre for Aeronautical Medicine (CAM).
Psychological selection began in 1977, evaluating 200 engineers based on the "activity information circuit model". A select-in strategy was used, aiming to identify the best performing candidates, resulting in a final cohort of five candidates
Assistance in the preliminary preparation phase was carried out through observational participation. The objectives were: evaluation of the candidates' adaptation in real conditions, development of the capacity for self-knowledge and self-control, stress management, harmonization of the group climate, and initiation in flight psychology.
The "Informatia" research program, carried out on the Salyut 6 station, included seven tests aimed at assessing the impact of weightlessness on cognitive and decision-making processes. The results indicated a temporary decline in performance in the first few days, followed by a recovery based on a state of euphoric mobilization.
The pre-launch and in-flight psychological support aimed at managing the tension caused by the uncertainty of the final selection at Baikonur and ensuring ambient comfort, through specially created video and audio programs.
Each chapter contains an international practice section, which presents the psychological activities carried out by the main space agencies, NASA, Roscosmos, ESA
The conclusions emphasize that psychologists have made significant contributions to all stages of the cosmic program with Romanian participation, demonstrating their ability to prepare professionals for extreme demands.