From the earliest tests on the first humans selected for space travel, their psychological well-being was considered a critical element in their performance. To keep them mentally healthy during flight, diversions, free time, and personal items allowed astronauts to relax, and in the days of multi-person crews, maintain good relationships inside confining spacecraft for days or weeks at a time. This talk will examine the almost inclusion of a Scrabble board on the Skylab missions of the 1970s, and how fads on Earth can still influence what goes on in space.

The Ask An Expert lecture series at the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center is presented every 2nd and 4th Thursday at 12:30 PM. A Museum staff member talks to the public about the history, collection, or personalities related to a specific artifact or exhibition in the Museum.