Initially when researching astronauts I came across the fact that the selection process is heavily based upon the [potential] astronaut’s personality. Ya gotta be cool, calm, and collected if you’re even gonna entertain the idea of space travel. How well do you appear to handle your anger and frustration? Do you bottle it up and eventually become a passive aggressive hell monster (I am already unable to become an astronaut…), or do you explode and scream at everyone? Space agencies are looking for the perfect balance between these two extremes. The astronaut must also play well with others. Friendliness is preferred over bravado. Everyone should be friends before the mission starts; you’re going to be spending some quality time with these people.

All this information set me up in a panicked “Oh crap” mode as soon as I read it. Space crews are just made up of a punch of professional friendly people? How boring! How could you achieve any interstellar drama with that? (There are probably dozens of ways, but still. I want to focus on unhealthy relationships. I’m a character-driven writer and making writers fall in love with unhappy saps is my jam.)

I am happy to report however, that it’s all bullshit. Or at least some of it is. At week six up there in the sky the space people start to snap. That guy you got along great with three weeks ago? He’s a fuckin’ asshole; he breathes too loud. You can’t focus on a damn thought with that bastard breathing all over the room. The phenomenon is called “irrational antagonism,” and it happens to the best of us. (Like me when I hang out with someone for more than twelve hours.)

There is no time to relax as you’re trapped up in space. The station is frustrating and unforgiving and hot, and tensions run high. If you’re a good astronaut, you better find a healthy, balanced way to vent your frustration (like take it out on ground control). And if you’re a bad astronaut, you better express your anger in such a way that it’s interesting enough for a story…