Russian Scientists Plan Simulated Mission to Mars

EzRag writes "According to this article in New Scientist, Russian scientists are preparing for a simulated mission to Mars, with six cosmonauts crammed into approx. 400 sq. meters for the length of the (simulated) journey. They'll bring with them all the food they'd need, and will recycle air and water. They will not, however, be exposed to simulated solar radition."

Comments

Bones and gravity

[Red_Winestain]

They also won't get the effects of extended periods of weightlessness. One of the major problems of prolonged absence of gravity is a loss of bone density. Women lose bone density faster than men. In neither group does this effect reverse much. When the first people to Mars return, they won't be able to function on earth again: none of their bones will be strong enough.

If you don't think this is a problem, check out the recent findings of bone density loss, especially in women, in peer-reviewed journals.

Re:I hope they remember...

[aridhol]

I don't know if this is how it's actually working, but if I were setting it up, I'd institute the delay in the communication systems themselves. Remember, this is simulating a round trip. The software can progressively increase the delay, then decrease it again. Operators outside don't have to worry about replying too soon - they can reply as soon as they get the message. Their reply will then go through the delay system.

Of course, they've probably already thought of this, or something like it. But then again, maybe not.