Crew Resource Management (CRM) is a system originally developed in aviation to reduce human errors, improve decision-making, and strengthen teamwork. This paper analyzes the past, present, and future of CRM in space missions. It examines Apollo missions 11, 13, and 15 to show how astronauts managed human cognition, emergencies, and teamwork, even before formal CRM programs existed. The study then explores present-day CRM approaches for Artemis lunar missions and upcoming SpaceX Starship missions to Mars, including tools like Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), Threat and Error Management (TEM), and Verbalize-Verify-Monitor (VVM). Leadership, decision-making, and human behavior are analyzed as critical components of CRM. Finally, the paper discusses the theoretical application of CRM for future long-duration missions, including Mars colonies and potential missions to Titan. This analysis shows that understanding human factors, structured teamwork, and adaptive CRM strategies is essential to reduce errors, increase efficiency, and ensure mission success across all phases of space exploration.
Maryam Badran (Fri,) studied this question.