Eleven people- 7 Russians, 3 people from other European countries and 1 Chinese participant-candidates in the 520-day programme of isolation under the Mars 500 project have completed a two-day special course of survival.
They were divided into two groups, given all the necessary things for surviving in the forest, such as matches, torch-lights, knives and small axes. The participants used the materials given them to build temporary one-room hut, after which they began evacuation procedure practice, as well as prepared a landing site for a helicopter and carried a comrade to the site through a thick layer of snow on a stretcher they made themselves. Both groups coped well with the assignment. The training is similar to the one undertaken by cosmonauts before flying to the ISS.
The aim of Mars-500 is the acquisition of practical skill and knowledge for the flight to Mars. The studies under the project should help in the evaluation of the effect of isolation, enclosed space and stress on different psychological and physiological activities of a person. The selection of candidates for the experiment was thorough, stressed Yury Bubeyev, head of the project's psychology section:
"The selection was based on the state of the health of the prospective candidate since if something untoward happens within the 520 days of the experiment, the entire project will be in jeopardy", said Bubeyev. "Among the strict criteria were good health, ability to cope with stress, plus the ability and readiness to interact with others. Hence Russian participants were required to have a smattering of English language and European participants of Russian language", said Bybeyev.
The volunteers have ahead of them a grilling by a special commission to pick the best 6 from the 11 participants for the imitation flight to Mars. Toward the end of April, the experiment will commence under conditions approximately similar to the ones to be encountered by people flying to Mars, like isolation in a special complex resembling a space ship with separate cabins, module apparatus, exercise area and other devices. There will be other simulated emergency situations, disclosed Yury Tryamkin, deputy head of the Mars-500 project:
The malfunctioning of the air freshening system could be simulated, which could lead to an increase in the level of carbon dioxide, requiring the taking of steps to minimize the emergency.
The preparations for Mars-500 have been going on now for more than three years, and the experiment has confirmed man's strong desire to conquer outer space. More than 6 thousand volunteers from 30 countries had initially expressed a desire to take part in the project.
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