Men emerge from Mars experiment (BBC) {3 mos confined to 'spaceship'}

[eppur_se_muova]

By Rupert Wingfield-Hayes
BBC News, Moscow

Six European volunteers have emerged from a simulated space capsule in Moscow after spending more than three months locked inside.

They were part of an experiment into how astronauts might deal with the very cramped conditions and prolonged isolation of a journey to Mars.

The four Russians, a German and a Frenchman seemed none the worse for wear after their "trip".

The capsule, without windows, had never left the ground during the 105 days.

It was designed to make them feel as isolated as they would be on a real trip to Mars, including very cramped accommodation and radio communication delayed by up to 20 minutes.
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more: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/8150385.stm

[Avalux]

1. Interesting. All the while however, they knew they were safe on earth.

I could probably do it to knowing I'd walk out in 3 months no matter what. ;)

[lapfog_1]

2. We spent billions on a far more realistic experiment

called the ISS. Complete with weightless condition (which affects all of the muscles in your body), forced reliance on things that are with you (hard to rescue someone), and the extra radiation from being in space.

Possibly not as cramped, but then do we HAVE to build a cramped space vehicle?

Perhaps we should just attach solar sails or ionic drive to the ISS and fly IT to Mars orbit, complete with attach landing craft.

[timeforpeace]

3. Yes, I was wondering if they had ever heard of the space station.

[Posteritatis]

4. The ISS isn't a fraction as cut off or closed as a Mars mission has to be (nt)

[lapfog_1]

5. really...

If someone there had a medical emergency, what are the options?

As for communication delay, yes, they don't suffer much from that, but it wouldn't be hard to simulate it just as they did for this experiment.

[Ready4Change]

6. They have a Russian Soyuz as an emergency bailout vehicle on the ISS.

It is no longer able to carry the full ISS crew, but it an still take someone in an emergency condition back to Earth.

It hurts me to say that the Shuttle generally cant be readied very quickly. And once it's aken off line we will have NO man rated vehicle to serve as a rescue vehicle until Orion comes online. So, really, we are dependent on Russian equipment. Luckily, the Soyuz has proven to be a good ship.

No such options on a Mars mission, however.