The race for the First Manned Mission to Mars has begun.

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By, Uwe Paschen.

The Race for the first manned mission to Mars has begun.

 The six volunteers from Russia, France and Germany chosen  out of some 6000 candidates have started the first simulated trip to mars in Moscow Russia,

 The race is on, this program over a 3 month period, simulating a trip to Mars will be followed by another lasting 520 day should all go well in this first experiment. Each volunteer has been well trained and prepared for the test and all have an aviation and military back round that should come in handy for this sort of mission.

 Should all tests be completed with positive results, it is then most likely that Europe will lunch the first Manned mission to Mars with in a decade. Our next step in space exploration.

 Unless of course China beats them to the task taking some short cuts in test and training wish could prove to be fatal keeping in mind that the trip back and forth does still take 720 days and that any mistake or crew member going crazy would most likely kill them all and cause a total failure of the endeavour.

 On the other hand, there still is the Mars Curse. Wish should not be taken lightly either, who knows what we will really encounter once orbiting Mars.

 It is fascinating in a way that we have reached this point in human history. And yet those Man and Woman undertaking this first trip will be of a special kind with strong nerves and rational as well as logical thinking not needing distraction such as theatres or dancing nor drugs such as alcohol or tobacco to keep them functioning and balanced.

 No Internet access nor telephone communication or video games either, they are on their own, have to remain alert, and ready at all times. Those Cosmonauts will have to endure a Seri of test and simulations and will not be able to leave their tin can at any time. This tin can will be their only universe wit out windows nor comfort from home.

 This will not be a trip around the globe in 80 days with great adventures and encounters, but rather a very boring and strenuous experience almost as bad as the real thing only with the  comfort of knowing that they are still on Earth and with in gravitational grips.

 Sea sickness comes to mind, as well as claustrophobia and paranoia some thing you do not want any one to have taking such a test and even less such a long trip into space.

Even though all this may not be pleasant, a great many European are keen and ready to risk it all for the advanceman of Humanity and our dream to reach the star.

 We are still a long way from Battlestar Galactica or Babylon 5 (space station). Even, Moonbase Alpha is not yet in reach. However, it is the next step and one rather important step for all of Humanity to take.

 Many of us wish to be part of the real thing and some wish they could join in no matter their age or social status. Even though they wont be Captain James T. Kirk, but more like expandable guineapigs.

The dream that maybe one day we will reach a Wormhole, and travel to the far end of our Galaxy after all, keeps all motivated and ready to take all risk.  Well I suppose I may have to hope to be reincarnated or to be immortal in order to be able to visit the Stars.

 Nevertheless, for now our six volunteers from Russia, France and Germany in Moscow will bring us one step closer to that goal.

 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manned_mission_to_Mars

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/European_Space_Agency

Russian space agency http://www.roscosmos.ru/index.asp?Lang=ENG

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/europe/7966731.stm