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4, when the hatch of their spacecraft is opened for the rst time since June last year.
Six crew members have been sealed in an isolation chamber since June, 2010, in order to simulate a mission to Mars. The crew has been simulating all elements of a Mars mission travelling to Mars, orbiting the planet, landing and return to Earth. The aim was to gather knowledge and experience to help prepare for real Mars missions.
Mars500
Mars surface simulator
To walk across the soil and rocks of Mars, crew members must put on Orlan spacesuits and pass through an airlock.
IN MINUTES
Medical module
The 12m-long cylinder acts as the laboratory. Should a crewmember become ill, he can be isolated and treated here.
Utility module
It is divided into four compartments, to store food and other supplies, to house a greenhouse, a gym and a refrigeration unit.
Simulation timeline
June 3, June 15 June 23 2010 Start of the Undocking Transfer to 520-day from orbital heliocentric isolation assembly orbit study. Hatch laboratory towards closed, lift o Mars
Sources: imbp
Main living quarters. The 20m-long module has six rooms (3m2 each), kitchen, a social area. Also acts as the main control room.
The Mars500 venture is being run by the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IMBP), with the participation of Esa.
Feb. 24 Feb. 26 Feb. 27 Mar. 1 Hatch closure, Lander undocking
The candidates have had only personal contact with each other, plus voice contact with a simulated control centre and family and friends, as would normally happen in a human spaceight mission. A 20-minute delay was built into communications with the control centre to simulate an interplanetary mission
Communication
Apr. 7
Oct. 13
Mars Undocking, Ascent, Docking with End of Habitation Lander landing on beginning interplanetary quarantine module hatch Mars of craft hatch opening quarantine opening
Transfer to Shifting to heliocentric spiral orbit orbit towards towards Earth Earth