Mars crew 'lands' after 520 days in isolation

kennyc · 11-04-2011, 10:40 AM

UPDATE 1-Mars crew 'lands' after 520 days in isolation

Fri Nov 4, 2011 9:36am EDT

* Crew have been locked in module in Moscow

* Mission to test man's endurance for real Mars flight (Adds astronaut, space officials quotes)

By Alissa de Carbonnel

MOSCOW, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Pale-faced but smiling, the crew of a long-duration isolation study emerged bleary-eyed to daylight and applause on Friday after 520 days locked away in windowless, cramped cells to simulate the length of a journey to Mars.

The $15 million Mars500 experiment aims to answer one of the big unknowns of deep-space travel: can people stay healthy and sane during six months rocketing to the Red Planet?

The six male volunteers were allowed to briefly embrace family and friends before being ushered into a three-day quarantine period at the end of an experiment to recreate the psychological strain of a real Mars mission as closely as possible.

Clothed in blue jumpsuits, the would-be astronauts from Europe, Russia and China grinned and waved as the heavy metal door was shut on their home of the last 17 months in a mock spaceship at a Moscow research institute.

Rest here:

http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7M41UT20111104

HomeInMyShoes · 11-04-2011, 10:57 AM

I don't think you could pay me enough to not interact with my family in the real world for a year and a half.

John Carroll · 11-04-2011, 01:39 PM

I'm really impressed that they made it.

kennyc · 11-04-2011, 01:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I don't think you could pay me enough to not interact with my family in the real world for a year and a half.

Some might consider it a blessing.

kennyc · 11-04-2011, 01:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carroll

I'm really impressed that they made it.

Yes, without killing each other. Bet they don't have dinner together for a while.

RainingLemur · 11-04-2011, 02:28 PM

I was just reading about these kinds of studies in a magazine on Monday. Man, I wouldn't be able to do it.

John Carroll · 11-04-2011, 03:27 PM

In one of my favorite sci-fi series, Alan Dean Foster has the Thranx, an alien race, hold humans confined in a room where they study how violent the humans get when trapped together.

The book is "Nor Crystal Tears". One of the best and most interesting looks at what would happen if we met an alien race: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Tears-...0434684&sr=1-1

Todd Young · 11-04-2011, 03:50 PM

I think I could do it if I was alone.

Steven Lyle Jordan · 11-04-2011, 03:59 PM

It was obviously an ordeal for the men to accomplish. Fortunately we're not ready to take a trip just yet, as it gives us time to better refine the tests, procedures and methods we'd use to keep long-distance astronauts mentally and physically healthy and sharp. Proper combinations of in-flight tasks, recreational inclusions and distractions, psychological evaluations and adjustments, and a bit of space and privacy, can go a long way.

kennyc · 11-04-2011, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John Carroll

In one of my favorite sci-fi series, Alan Dean Foster has the Thranx, an alien race, hold humans confined in a room where they study how violent the humans get when trapped together.

The book is "Nor Crystal Tears". One of the best and most interesting looks at what would happen if we met an alien race: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Tears-...0434684&sr=1-1

Hey! Thanks for that recommendation! I've read some of his work and like it. This sounds interesting.

Falcao · 11-04-2011, 05:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HomeInMyShoes

I don't think you could pay me enough to not interact with my family in the real world for a year and a half.

I would pay to not interact with my in-laws for a year and a half

xg4bx · 11-05-2011, 11:59 PM

give me a kindle and a fleshlight and i could do it standing on my head.

kennyc · 11-06-2011, 04:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xg4bx

give me a kindle and a fleshlight and i could do it standing on my head.

Good Man!

Dylrob · 11-08-2011, 11:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xg4bx

give me a kindle and a fleshlight and i could do it standing on my head.

Fleshlight?

Bilbo1967 · 11-08-2011, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dylrob

Fleshlight?

Don't Google it!

11-04-2011, 10:40 AM	#1
kennyc The Dank Side of the Moon Posts: 35,891 Karma: 119230421 Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Denver, CO Device: Kindle2; Kindle Fire	Mars crew 'lands' after 520 days in isolation UPDATE 1-Mars crew 'lands' after 520 days in isolation Fri Nov 4, 2011 9:36am EDT * Crew have been locked in module in Moscow * Mission to test man's endurance for real Mars flight (Adds astronaut, space officials quotes) By Alissa de Carbonnel MOSCOW, Nov 4 (Reuters) - Pale-faced but smiling, the crew of a long-duration isolation study emerged bleary-eyed to daylight and applause on Friday after 520 days locked away in windowless, cramped cells to simulate the length of a journey to Mars. The $15 million Mars500 experiment aims to answer one of the big unknowns of deep-space travel: can people stay healthy and sane during six months rocketing to the Red Planet? The six male volunteers were allowed to briefly embrace family and friends before being ushered into a three-day quarantine period at the end of an experiment to recreate the psychological strain of a real Mars mission as closely as possible. Clothed in blue jumpsuits, the would-be astronauts from Europe, Russia and China grinned and waved as the heavy metal door was shut on their home of the last 17 months in a mock spaceship at a Moscow research institute. Rest here: http://www.reuters.com/article/2011/...7M41UT20111104

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11-04-2011, 10:57 AM	#2
HomeInMyShoes Grand Sorcerer Posts: 19,226 Karma: 67780237 Join Date: Jul 2011 Device: none	I don't think you could pay me enough to not interact with my family in the real world for a year and a half.

11-04-2011, 01:39 PM	#3
John Carroll kookoo Posts: 1,461 Karma: 7772454 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook, LG4	I'm really impressed that they made it.

11-04-2011, 02:28 PM	#6
RainingLemur Spork Connoisseur Posts: 2,355 Karma: 16780603 Join Date: Mar 2011 Device: Nook Color	I was just reading about these kinds of studies in a magazine on Monday. Man, I wouldn't be able to do it.

11-04-2011, 03:27 PM	#7
John Carroll kookoo Posts: 1,461 Karma: 7772454 Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: Colorado Springs Device: Kindle Paperwhite, Nook, LG4	In one of my favorite sci-fi series, Alan Dean Foster has the Thranx, an alien race, hold humans confined in a room where they study how violent the humans get when trapped together. The book is "Nor Crystal Tears". One of the best and most interesting looks at what would happen if we met an alien race: http://www.amazon.com/Crystal-Tears-...0434684&sr=1-1

11-04-2011, 03:50 PM	#8
Todd Young Addict Posts: 243 Karma: 1004164 Join Date: May 2011 Device: Kindle 2	I think I could do it if I was alone.

11-04-2011, 03:59 PM	#9
Steven Lyle Jordan Grand Sorcerer Posts: 8,478 Karma: 5171130 Join Date: Jan 2006 Device: none	It was obviously an ordeal for the men to accomplish. Fortunately we're not ready to take a trip just yet, as it gives us time to better refine the tests, procedures and methods we'd use to keep long-distance astronauts mentally and physically healthy and sharp. Proper combinations of in-flight tasks, recreational inclusions and distractions, psychological evaluations and adjustments, and a bit of space and privacy, can go a long way.

11-05-2011, 11:59 PM	#12
xg4bx Are you gonna eat that? Posts: 1,633 Karma: 23215128 Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Phillipsburg, NJ Device: Kindle 3, Nook STG	give me a kindle and a fleshlight and i could do it standing on my head.

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