|
Crew selection 
Carmen
Probably the first thing that strikes you about Carmen is that she is differently abled. This should rule her out right away, should it not? But why? You don't need to use your legs much, on a Space Station. They are a positive disadvantage, in fact. They trail around and get in the way. And you need to spend time every day working out, to prevent your legs from degenerating.
Carmen would be able to make her way around the Station as well as anyone else, so why should she be barred as a candidate on these grounds? The space agencies of the world may disagree at this time, but by 2020 there should be no reason why such people should not go into space.
Her other health problem - hayfever - is not going to occur on the Space Station, where the atmosphere is virtually dust and pollen free.
Carmen is suitably qualified. She is hard working, and though she does not have a lot of discoveries to her name yet she is capable of such achievements. She should be able to rise to the challenge.
The final aspect that needs consideration is how she will cope with the environment and the the other crew. She is tolerant and quiet. She is unlikely to upset other crew member, or to take offence herself. She is probably used to being confined and unable to go where she wants, so she should be abe to cope with the environment.
Final comment
Return
Tanya
Tanya has more experience than the other candidates, but she has not produced much original work for many years. This may be the area of study, or she may have become too conservative and conventional as she has got older. It is notable that most great scientists produce their best work when the are in their twenties. Perhaps this fits Tanya. But is she suitable for the job?
She will certainly produce results, and carry out the work efficiently.
Is she suited to a life on the Station? Yes, she could cope, but she may not be entirely happy. She also has a potential problem with bone degeneration, which will be made worse on the station. Should we expose her to this? Also, will she get on with the other crew? Check out her hobbies. They clash with the interests of others. She also has a wild reputation in her leisure hours. Will she be a bad influence on the others?
Final comment
Return
Michael
Michael is superbly qualified, and a leading expert in his field. He is famous for his new discoveries and no doubt will make many more on board the Station. He is, however, arrogant and looks down on others, particularly if they do not live up, not only to his expectations, but also to his requirements.
He is also extremely fit, which may seem a good point, but he takes part in sports that do require a great deal of physical working-out. Will he be too confined on the Station? Is someone who trains for and runs marathons the right person to be locked into a dozen small rooms for six months?
His attitude and motives for applying must be questioned. His prime objective appears to be that he wants to show off to his friends about it and use the post as a means of getting a better job afterwards. Is he really interested in the mission or even in space itself?
Final comment
Return
Albert
Albert is poorly qualified. He was also a poor student and his mathematical abilities are below standard. He has some strange personal habits and he appears to be a dreamer. Can we expect him to fit in with the other crew and will he work hard enough, rather than sitting around "thinking"? His health is below the standard that is required for space living and there is a suspicion that he is only a candidate because he has friends on the selection board!
Perhaps we can eliminate him right away. But wait...
You may have realised this candidate is based on Albert Einstein, thought by many people to be greatest scientist who ever lived. Einstein was only recognised as a genius after his papers were published. Before that he was just a humble patent clerk - the only job his qualifications could get him. For years he worked in private, with no-one to finance him until he came up with one of the most brilliant pieces of scientific thinking ever, the Theory of Special Relativity.
His poor understanding of physics was probably an advantage. Had he been a better student he would have thought that the task of understanding the true nature of the Universe was impossible and he would never have started his work. Although he taught mathematics and physics for a time, one of Einstein's comtempoaries at Goertingen University said of him, "The street-children of Goetingen know more mathematics than Einstein."
Einstein's theories were only arrived at after years of work and effort to improve his mathematical ability. It is Einstein who is attributed with the phase that modern theoretical physics is ...is 10% inspiration and 90% perspiration.
Final comment
Return
Final Comment
Really, there are no right answers. You need to weigh the pros and cons. Perhaps you could do some simple mathematics to give a weighting for your final selection.
With the exception of Albert, the interesting thing is that all the candidates are qualified enough to do the job. The choice depends on other factors. One of the most important is compatibility with other crew members. The wrong selection can disrupt all the crew.
The big question is, would anyone have spotted Albert's talent, before he was famous. The answer is almost certainly, No!
So, you see how difficult personnel selection can be.
There is one final option, and that is to reject all of them. But that would be expensive, and it would not make you popular with the mission control!
Return
|
SPACE STATION 2020 
