Simulated Mars mission under way in Moscow

Two European Space Agency and four Russian volunteers have embarked on a 105-day simulated mission to Mars to help prepare for such a real space trip.

The crew of six entered a dedicated isolation facility Tuesday in Moscow at the Institute of Biomedical Problems. Accompanying ESA participants Oliver Knickel and Cyrille Fournier are four Russian crewmembers: cosmonauts Oleg Artemyez and Sergei Ryazansky, Dr. Alexei Baranov and sports physiologist Alexei Shpakov.

While in the facility, the crew will experience all aspects of a mission to Mars, including launch, the outward journey, arrival at Mars and, after an excursion to the surface, the long journey home, ESA officials said. They will have to cope with simulated emergencies, as well as communication delays of as long as 20 minutes.

The ESA said the project is designed to assess the effects that isolation has on various psychological and physiological aspects, such as stress, hormone regulation and immunity, sleep quality, mood and the effectiveness of dietary supplements.

The 105-day study precedes a 520-day simulated mission to Mars, due to start late this year.