Tech & Biz

Mars 500 Experiment: Like a Reality Show

by Jordan Yerman | March 31, 2009 at 12:24 pm

201 views | 60 Recommendations | 4 comments

In preparation for a manned mission to the red planet, the European Space Agency is running a sort of Survivor: Mars.

CNET has a great photoset of the facilities used for this experiment.

The exercise is meant to gauge the volunteers' mental and physical ability to function off-world, as participants will carry out missions under conditions mirroring those of being really, really far away from Earth.

The purpose of the Mars500 study is to gather data, knowledge and experience to help prepare one day for a real mission to Mars. Obviously there will be no effect of weightlessness, but the study will help determine key psychological and physiological effects of being in such an enclosed environment for such an extended period of time.

Those who survive more than 100 days experiencing the same isolation and claustrophobia as astronauts will earn a $20,000 (£14,000) reward.

If any of the six men get homesick, they will be allowed to come out early.

However, they don't get to vote each other off the planet. The tribal council has spoken.

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Fred Miller

at 12:41 on March 31st, 2009

This relates somewhat to my earlier story today.

Hope you can catch 'Big Brother in Space ?

Karen Hatter

at 12:43 on March 31st, 2009

It sounds like it will be a challenge.

Uwe Paschen

at 15:37 on March 31st, 2009

I think it is great. This will be the first of many steps to come. The next frontier we have to go.

Fred Miller

at 19:26 on March 31st, 2009

I am just watching at this moment ABC 13 Houston showing Morris Architects' hospitality concept of the Rig Hotel - an oil rig with its own helipad. All they need is financing for this floating luxury hotel. And a good evacuation plan.