NASA and ESA Explore AI Companions to Support Astronaut Mental Health on Long Space Missions

Deep space travel poses unique mental health challenges for astronauts due to extreme isolation and confinement.

NASA and ESA are researching AI companions as potential tools to support astronaut mental health on future missions.

AI companions could provide a sounding board and emotional support, but cannot replace human connections.

More research is needed to understand if and how AI companions could be effective and avoid pitfalls.

Human interactions and connections will remain essential for astronaut mental health on deep space missions.