Professor David William Kim of the College of Liberal Arts at Kookmin University is a Fellow of the Royal Historical Society (UK) and an ANU-InSpace Mission Specialist in Australia. As part of the National Research Foundation of Korea's special project (2022-2025), the Space Science and Humanities Integrated Section's Mars Exploration Project is still working on the Human Research Programs (HRP), which remains an open question. The new theoretical research achievement of the Pet Astronaut Companion in the area of Behavioral Health and Resilience of future Martian astronauts (2034) is related to space sciences, mental wellbeing, and Among scientists in the fields of medicine, human factors, astrobiology, astrophysics, life science, space policy, security, space exploration, and space safety, he was recognized for his pioneering research and published it in the European SCI-level journal (INFORMATICA).

Below is a brief introduction to a portion of the original text (From Experimental Animal to Companion: Astronaut's Behavioral Health and Resilience for Mars Exploration).

Space science has been developed through past and current missions of the International Space Station (ISS) and Tiangong Space Station (TSS) in low Earth orbit and on the lunar surface. Numerous missions have used animals on test flights to better understand the physiological dangers of space flight for humans. A contemporary focus of space exploration is long-duration crewed travel to establish a Moon station (2027) and reach Mars (2034). Are humans, then, ready to explore for Mars soon? What are major hazards that still need to be solved? Can animals play a novel role for humans in deep space travel?

This paper explored various cases of animal test subjects used for human’s space exploration. Monkeys (and rats) were common subjects in the USA, while the USSR typically used two dogs at each time in the early stage of the space project. Such a phenomenon of animal biological tests posed various ethical problems, leading to a shift in their use during the turn of the millennium. Since then, animal experiments have been conducted from an educational perspective of bioastronautics with small species, such as fish, spiders, cats, mice, rabbits, frogs, etc. 

The development of space medicine systematically improved the scientific and technological condition of astronauts. Yet, for future space travel, the sustainable maintenance of human behavioural health remained as one of the key hindrances to resolve. This paper, though not based on an empirical evaluation at this stage, argues a hypothetical countermeasure that the physical and psychological well-being of space crews in terms of risk management can be enhanced by the cognitive policy of a human-pet companionship, where animals are no longer experimental subjects but as fellow astronauts. 

The human-nonhuman bond, especially with dogs, can reduce work-related stress by facilitating communication and improving productivity (McDermott 2012). Various dog breeds and their traits are considered to estimate which would be most suitable for Mars exploration. Since they are naturally affectionate with people, the playfulness level of dogs, unlike AI pets, can encourage physical activity and cooperation among astronauts. The characters of friendliness, obedience, and protective instinct can benefit the mental, social, and physical health of humans, preventing from the natural symptoms of loneliness, mental breakdown, fear, and lethargy. The advantages of the junior female dog companion (2.5–3 years old) trained with astronaut candidates could undoubtedly contribute to the resilience and the welfare of astronauts during work, personal time, and community life. 

For further research, see: https://informaticajournal.com/informatica/index.php/pdf/stream/Qo65z/1725804547