18th IAA Humans in Space Symposium (2011)
2011.pdf
Leaders in Space: Mission Commanders and Crew at the International Space Station
The present study aims to identify individual and social characteristics of leaders on the
International Space Station (ISS). Specifically, we were interested in the similarities and
differences between the commander and the crew, as well as small group dynamics and
leadership patterns in comparison to terrestrial working groups. We employed automated LIWC
content analysis, and the thematic content analysis (TCA) of narratives (media interviews,
journals, and oral histories), of 18 commanders and 35 flight engineers from 18 Expeditions to
the ISS. Seven relevant variables were analyzed by TCA: universal values, coping strategies,
types of social support sought, motive imagery, Eriksonian life-stages, intimacy, and trustmistrust. Overall, the commanders and the flight engineers were more similar than different. The
pattern which emerged across all variables was that during the pre-flight and in-flight stages the
commanders were more other-oriented than the flight engineers. The value hierarchies suggest
that the commanders are similar to the lay individual, while the flight engineers are more like
other adventure enthusiasts. Further, the commanders relied on their crew and the space agencies
for social support most while the flight engineers needed the communication and support from
their families and friends. The recurring pattern across all eight variables leads us to conclude
that the commanders were assuming the role of an emotion-oriented leader as opposed to a taskoriented one. These findings highlight the importance of studying crew dynamics in isolated and
extreme environments, as well as, understanding and creating detailed psychosocial leader
profiles which may aid in attaining mission success.