Mars 500 Research Paper

Words: 1853
Pages: 8

Deep Space Flight Simulation
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Deep Space Flight Simulation
There are various flight simulation events that have occurred; simulation to Mars has occurred by using different types of technologies such as X-Plane simulation (software) and real life simulation like the Mars 500. The Mars 500 mission was conducted between the years 2007 through 2011. The simulation was carried out by the European space agency, Russia, and China. The experiment facility was situated at the Institute of Biomedical Problems that is located at the Russian Academy of Sciences in Moscow. The mission was conducted by an all-male crew of one Chinese, three Russians an Italian and a Frenchman. Mars 500 was successful because it
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Mission control created mock emergencies for the members as a way of keeping them busy as they returned back to earth. In December, they had to endure a day in the dark after a simulated emergency blackout that left them with a few backup generators. They passed time by playing cards and chess using flashlights, and they also had to endure a week of radio silence. The landing on this simulated exercise had no dramatic end; there was no space ship landing or parachutes involved (Elder, 2011). A control room scientist turned the handle on the capsule’s metal door and opened the hatch. It marked the ending of the uninterrupted isolation, monotony, voluntary hardships and lack of sunlight. The six individuals emerged, waving to their friends and family. They were later whisked away for further medical checks (Cbc.ca, …show more content…
Seeing the same faces for many months is challenging and their eagerness to come back home was evident by messages sent during the last day. The findings of this mission clearly highlight various aspects that need to be avoided during deep space expeditions (Uphs.upenn.edu, 2013). For example, monotony while transitioning to and from the red planet should be prevented, and crew members should be kept busy while awake. Researchers who studied the findings point that a successful adaptation of such missions should have habitats that mimic aspects of the earth’s circadian rhythms. Sleep has been identified as an essential element of the deep space travels hence regular sleep should be