  Revived interest in lunar and planetary exploration is heralding a new era
for human spaceflight, characterized by frequent strain on astronaut's mental
well-being, which stems from increased exposure to isolated, confined, and
extreme (ICE) conditions. Whilst Immersive Virtual Reality (IVR) has been
employed to facilitate self-help interventions to mitigate challenges caused by
isolated environments in several domains, its applicability in support of
future space expeditions remains largely unexplored. To address this
limitation, we administered the use of distinct IVR environments to crew
members (n=5) partaking in a simulated lunar habitat study. Utilizing a
Bayesian approach to scrutinize small group data, we discovered a significant
relationship between IVR usage and a reduction in perceived stress-related
symptoms, particularly those associated with asthenia (syndrome often linked to
chronic fatigue and weakness; a condition characterized by feelings of energy
depletion or exhaustion that can be amplified in ICE conditions). The
reductions were most prominent with the use of interactive virtual
environments. The 'Aesthetic Realities' - virtual environments conceived as art
exhibits - received exceptional praise from our participants. These
environments mark a fascinating convergence of art and science, holding promise
to mitigate effects related to isolation in spaceflight training and beyond.
