Mars Flight Simulation Started

Russian scientists launched 10-day stage of Mars flight imitation “Mars-500”. Short satellite experiment is held within the “Mars-500” programme and is aimed at studying effects of long-term stay in oxygen-nitrogen-argon atmosphere with varying concentrations of oxygen on human organisms.

Oxygen-argon and oxygen-helium mixtures will be tested on volunteers. Ten men in good health, able to spend long time under pressure of 5 meters of water column, will spend ten days in a pressure chamber. During six days oxygen concentration in the atmosphere will be normal, and during last four days volunteers will breathe air with low oxygen content, equal to 3 thousand meters above sea level.

Volunteers will live according special day plan, and scientists will test their psychical and physical performance, cardiorespiratory system, as well as hematological, metabolic and immunologic parameters. Researchers will also perform microbiological studies in order to develop suitable life supporting systems for future Martian ship.

Russia-IC,16.04.2008
http://www.russia-ic.com/news/show/6184/