Introduction and summary of the International Space Life Sciences Working Group Workshop on Group Interactions

An astronaut panel identified psychological challenges and technological limitations as the major obstacles to long-term spaceflight at the 14th IAA Humans in Space Symposium held May 2003, in Banff, Canada. In light of this and the increasing interest in possible human missions to the Moon and Mars, the International Space Life Sciences Working Group Workshop on Group Interactions held in May 2002, also in Banff, seems both timely and germane. This Supplement presents articles submitted by the Workshop participants to provide a snapshot of the Workshop proceedings, which included experimental findings and reviews relevant to the topic of space psychology. It is hoped that this special issue conveys to readers the excitement and stimulating discussion that so marked the workshop and that it can serve as a starting point for further exploration into Group Interactions in Space.