As the U.S. space shuttle program comes to an end, space enthusiasts are eyeing the next prize in space travel: Mars. One of the biggest challenges for humans traveling to Mars will be the long-term isolation they will experience, so a Russian project called Mars500 has put six volunteers in total isolation for more than 500 days to simulate what a trip to Mars and back would be like.
The six men eat, sleep, exercise and live their lives in a small capsule meant to mimic the space they would have on a mission to Mars.They have even staged a mock Mars landing and conducted experiments, all while remaining on Earth.
Some analysts say a mission to Mars might be feasible in the next 10 years or so, and President Obama has proposed a Mars mission as a long-term goal for America's space program. Although it isn't participating directly in the Mars500 simulation, NASA is watching the experiment closely to see what effects long-term isolation has on people.
Quotes
"I'm not a fan of the simulations. To me, it's like practicing pain. You can never duplicate the fact that the real crew would be on a mission with a specific purpose, and these folks are just trying to live through a long-duration simulation." - Norm Thugard, former NASA astronaut
"I think that the two necessary attributes would be tolerance and open-mindedness, because we are an international crew and environment. So we need to be able to understand and cope with all the others' traditions." - Romain Charles, Mars500 participant
Warm Up Questions
. What planet is closest to Earth?
2. How to humans travel in space?
3. What U.S. government agency controls space travel?
Discussion Questions
1. According to the people participating in the Mars500 simulation, what are the most important attributes that people living in such isolation must have?
2. Do you agree with the former astronaut in the video who says he's "not a fan of simulations?" Why do you think he feels that way? What other human activities use simulations to prepare for them?
3. Do you think achieving a manned space mission to Mars should be a priority? Why or why not?
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