NASA explores brain training to help astronauts live on the Moon
In education circles we increasingly talk about neuro diversity and neuro training, and now NASA is tapping into the potential of these to help prepare astronauts for the unknown.
Key takeaways
- Increasingly more people in the education sector are talking about trends such as adaptive learning, neuro-diversity, and the use of Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technologies to help people learn more faster.
- Stephanie Mathews, a researcher at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said the brain-training technology could be especially useful for astronauts living in isolation for long periods of time.
- NASA has plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024 through its Artemis program, and aims to eventually establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface.
Cite or link to this article
Griffin, M. (2023) 'NASA explores brain training to help astronauts live on the Moon', 311 Institute, 14 May. Available at: https://www.311institute.com/nasa-explores-brain-training-to-help-astronauts-live-on-the-moon/ (Accessed: 1 October 2026).
Increasingly more people in the education sector are talking about trends such as adaptive learning, neuro-diversity, and the use of Brain Machine Interface (BMI) technologies to help people learn more faster. And now NASA is following in the steps of the US Olympic team and the USAF and investigating the use of brain-training technology to help future astronauts adapt to life on the Moon and Mars, according to a recent report by KXAN News.
The space agency is partnering with technology company Posit Science to test the effectiveness of their “cognitive training program,” which aims to improve memory, attention, and processing speed. The program includes a series of games and exercises designed to challenge and strengthen the brain.
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Dr. Stephanie Mathews, a researcher at NASA’s Johnson Space Center, said the brain-training technology could be especially useful for astronauts living in isolation for long periods of time.
Brain training ... in space.
“We know that there are certain cognitive challenges that come along with isolation and confinement,” she said. “So, by having a program like this that can help keep their brain functioning at its best, it can really help with their overall well-being and their success on these missions.”
Posit Science CEO Dr. Henry Mahncke said the company’s cognitive training program has already been shown to be effective in improving brain function in other populations, such as older adults.
“We’re really excited about the potential for this technology to help astronauts perform at their best and stay healthy and happy during these long-duration missions,” he said.
The brain-training technology is still in the testing phase, but if successful, it could be used to help prepare future astronauts for the challenges of living and working in space.
“We’re really interested in making sure that our astronauts are performing at their best, and that they’re healthy and happy throughout the mission,” said Dr. Mathews.
NASA has plans to return astronauts to the Moon by 2024 through its Artemis program, and aims to eventually establish a permanent presence on the lunar surface. The agency also has long-term goals of sending humans to Mars in the 2030s.
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Why does this matter?
In education circles we increasingly talk about neuro diversity and neuro training, and now NASA is tapping into the potential of these to help prepare astronauts for the unknown.
About the author
Matthew Griffin Founder, 311 Institute
Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath."
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Matthew Griffin is a multi-award winning Futurist and expert in Disruption and Innovation, Geopolitics, Leadership, and Technology, who NASA have described as a "walking encyclopaedia of the future" and a "futurist Polymath." 15-time best selling author of the "Codex of the Future" series, Matthew is the Founder and Futurist in Chief of the 311 Institute, a global Futures and Deep Futures advisory firm working with royal households, world leaders, G7, G20, and G77 governments, NGOs, and multi-national mid and mega cap firms to help them explore, shape, and lead the next 50 years of business and society.
An award-winning YouTube creator with over a million followers, with an unrivalled global reach and impact, Matthew is a highly sought-after international keynote speaker, lecturer, and mentor who collaborates with global leaders through the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations (UNAOC) and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to shape pivotal initiatives such as the UN’s AI for Humanity program, the United Nations Conference of the Parties (UN COP), and the World Economic Forum in Davos.
As the former Global Head of Cloud, National Security, and Enterprise Sales for companies including Atos, Dell-EMC, and IBM, Matthew has a proven track record of building multi-billion dollar business units and turning failing divisions into market leaders. His ability to identify, analyse, and communicate the implications of hundreds of emerging technologies and trends is unparalleled, and his insights are trusted by many of the world’s most respected organisations, including ABB, Accenture, Adidas, AON, ARM, BCG, Centrica, Citi, Coca-Cola, Dentons, Deloitte, Dow Jones, EY, Google, KPMG, Lego, Legal & General, LinkedIn, Microsoft, PepsiCo, Qualcomm, RWE, Samsung, Siemens AG and Siemens Energy, T-Mobile, UBS, VISA, Walmart, Workday, Worldpay and many others.
Regularly featured in the global media including the AP, BBC, Bloomberg, CNBC, Discovery, Forbes, Khaleej Times, Telegraph, TIME, ViacomCBS, WIRED, and the WSJ, Matthews mission is to help organisations create a fair and sustainable future whose benefits are shared by everyone irrespective of their ability, background, or circumstances.
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Sources and further reading
- Posit Science brainhq.com
Source: first published by the 311 Institute on 14 May 2023. Cite as: Griffin, M. (2023). NASA explores brain training to help astronauts live on the Moon. 311 Institute. https://www.311institute.com/nasa-explores-brain-training-to-help-astronauts-live-on-the-moon/
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