The simulation follows the mission profile of a real Mars mission, including an exploration phase on the surface of Mars. Nutrition will be identical to that provided on board the International Space Station.

The simulations will take place here on Earth inside a special facility in Moscow. A precursor 105-day study is scheduled to early 2009, possibly followed by another 105-day study, before the full 520-day study begins late 2009.

The crew will have to take care of themselves for almost two years during the roundtrip. Their survival is in their own hands, relying on the work of thousands of engineers and scientists back on Earth, who made such a mission possible.

They will experience extreme isolation and confinement. They will lose sight of planet Earth. A radio contact will take 40 minutes to travel to us and then back to the space explorers.

A human mission to Mars is a bold vision for the time beyond the International Space Station. However, preparations have already started today. They are geared and committed to one goal: to send humans on an exploration mission to Mars, individuals who will live and work together in a spaceship for over 500 days.

Credits: ESA - S. Corvaja

On 11 December 2008, the final four Europeans who are set to take part in a simulated Mars mission were presented to the media at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France.

After completing a two-month period of training for their mission, two of the group will be chosen as prime crew to join four Russian-selected crewmembers inside the specially designed isolation facility in Moscow. For 105 days, as part of a cooperative project between ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight and the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), the six-strong crew will live, eat, sleep and work in the recently refurbished facility. During this time they will experience elements of a simulated Mars mission.

Their stay is in preparation for the full Mars500 study due to start later in 2009, which will see another six-member crew sealed in the chamber to experience a complete 520-day Mars mission. The purpose of the Mars500 study is to gather data, knowledge and experience to help prepare one day for a real mission to Mars.

Credits: ESA - N. Imbert-Vier, 2008

On 11 December 2008, the final four Europeans who are set to take part in a simulated Mars mission were presented to the media at ESA Headquarters in Paris, France.

After completing a two-month period of training for their mission, two of the group will be chosen as prime crew to join four Russian-selected crewmembers inside the specially designed isolation facility in Moscow. For 105 days, as part of a cooperative project between ESA's Directorate of Human Spaceflight and the Russian Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP), the six-strong crew will live, eat, sleep and work in the recently refurbished facility. During this time they will experience elements of a simulated Mars mission.

Their stay is in preparation for the full Mars500 study due to start later in 2009, which will see another six-member crew sealed in the chamber to experience a complete 520-day Mars mission. The purpose of the Mars500 study is to gather data, knowledge and experience to help prepare one day for a real mission to Mars.

Credits: ESA - N. Imbert-Vier, 2008