ABSTRACT
Pioneering American spaceflights were manned by a cadre of highly trained, professional Astronauts. Whatever the evolution of the space program, one definite change will be in the composition of crews. Women have already been selected for the spaceflight program and will certainly be routinely going into space during the 1980s. Another factor that might lead to greater difficulty in adjustment on future flights involves the psychological costs and rewards associated with living and working in space. A number of factors entered into the selection of early Astronauts. These included extensive flight experience or scientific training, physical condition, and psychological adjustment. American space missions to date have had a vertical, military command structure. For a number of reasons, none of which are related to their ability to perform or adjust in the environment of space, women have been excluded from the American space program.
