Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1959.3/229657

Title

Making media work in space: an interdisciplinary perspective on media and communication requirements for current and future space communities

Author(s)

Babidge, S.;  Cokley, J.;  Gordon, F.;  Louw, E.

Abstract

As humans expand into space communities will form. These have already begun to form in small ways, such as long-duration missions on the International Space Station and the space shuttle, and small-scale tourist excursions into space. Social, behavioural and communications data emerging from such existing communities in space suggest that the physically-bounded, work-oriented and traditionally male-dominated nature of these extremely remote groups present specific problems for the resident astronauts, groups of them viewed as 'communities', and their associated groups who remain on Earth, including mission controllers, management and astronauts' families. Notionally feminine group attributes such as adaptive competence, social adaptation skills and social sensitivity will be crucial to the viability of space communities and in the absence of gender equity, 'staying in touch' by means of 'news from home' becomes more important than ever. A template of news and media forms and technologies is suggested to service those needs and enhance the social viability of future terraforming activities.

Publication type

Journal article

Source

International Journal of Astrobiology, Vol. 4, no. 3-4 (Oct 2005), pp. 259-268

Publication year

2005

FOR Code(s)

0201 Astronomical and Space Sciences;  0403 Geology

Keyword(s)

Anthropology;  Communications;  Communities;  Media;  Psychology;  Space

Publisher

Cambridge University Press

ISSN

1473-5504

Publisher URL

http://dx.doi.org/10.1017/S1473550405002788

Copyright

Copyright © 2006 Cambridge University Press.

Peer reviewed