Independent Lens

S25E16 Space: The Longest Goodbye

NASA's ambitious mission to transport astronauts to Mars entails a three-year journey, during which real-time communication with Earth will be unfeasible due to the vast distances involved. This episode introduces the psychologists tasked with ensuring the mental well-being of these astronauts as they navigate the challenges of isolation. Caught between the excitement of exploring new horizons and the fundamental human desire to maintain connections with loved ones back home, these professionals work diligently to support the crew’s emotional health throughout their extraordinary voyage.