The Human Element in Advancing 21st-Century Space Exploration - Human Space Exploration Benefits to Humanity

Edited by Ilaria Cinelli alongside Aisha Said and Bettina Beard, this open-access book published by IntechOpen in 2026 brings together twelve interdisciplinary chapters exploring what it truly means to put humans at the centre of 21st-century space exploration.

As the International Space Station approaches retirement and humanity prepares for permanent settlements on the Moon and Mars, the book asks the questions that matter most: What is the enduring value of human presence in space? What does it take to be an astronaut in an era of commercial spaceflight and artificial intelligence? How do we prepare people — psychologically, physically, and culturally — for missions of unprecedented ambition?

Spanning aerospace engineering, human factors, psychology, policy, and cultural studies, the chapters examine diversity and inclusion in astronaut selection, the psychological needs of future crews, the role of human doctors beyond algorithms, the microbiome in space, and how spaceflight inspires innovation and societal engagement on Earth.

A landmark resource for aerospace professionals, researchers, policymakers, and space enthusiasts — freely available to all.