A unique assessment called the NASA Moon Survival test has been crafted by a professor from the University of Texas to gauge the collaborative abilities of candidates before their selection.
This simulation places participants in the role of spaceship crew members preparing to embark on a lunar mission. However, an unforeseen emergency forces them to make an emergency landing over a hundred miles away from their intended destination due to technical glitches.
In this chaotic scenario, the spaceship’s supplies have suffered damage, compelling the crew to decide on the items crucial for a safe moon landing and subsequent journey on foot. The list includes both common and unusual items, each assigned a value from 1 to 15, with one indicating the utmost importance and fifteen representing the least.
The roster of 15 items up for consideration comprises diverse elements such as matches, food concentrate, nylon rope, parachute silk, a portable heating unit, firearms, oxygen tanks, a star map of lunar constellations, a life raft, a magnetic compass, water, signal flares, a first aid kit with injection needles, and a solar-powered FM receiver transmitter.
This engaging exercise finds its origin in social psychology studies aiming to enhance team-building experiences. The creator behind this intriguing activity is Jay Hall. In 1970, Hall, a social psychology professor, investigated the factors contributing to inefficiencies in office group projects, a concern often cited by human resources.
The proponents of this test argue that it fosters better collective decision-making and enables teams to measure their progress. The proper order of items, based on their usefulness, is as follows:
2 hundred-pound tanks of oxygen
5 gallons of water
Lunar constellation star map
Food concentrate
Solar-powered FM receiver transmitter
50 feet of nylon rope
Injection needles, first aid kit
Parachute silk
Life raft
Signal flares
Two .45 calibre pistols
1 case dehydrated Pet milk
Portable heating unit
Magnetic compass
A box of matches
NASA’s reasoning behind these rankings is detailed. For instance, a box of matches is deemed ineffective on the moon due to the absence of air required for combustion. On the other hand, food concentrate secures a high rank for effectively meeting calorie requirements. Nylon rope, parachute silk, and portable heating units are evaluated for their practicality in specific lunar scenarios.
Notably, the highest-ranking items involve the most vital survival needs, such as oxygen and water, given the moon’s distinct conditions. The star map’s importance arises from its role in navigation on the lunar surface.
Through this innovative assessment, candidates’ ability to make calculated decisions under pressure and collaborate efficiently can be measured, offering valuable insights for team dynamics and mission success.
