Volunteers Simulate Mission To Mars 237
Hugh Pickens writes "Six volunteers have climbed into a small metal capsule in Moscow as part of a three-month experiment meant to simulate a voyage to Mars. The crew — a German engineer, a French airline pilot, and four Russians — will spend the next 105 days living in a minimally furnished facility erected in a hangar on the outskirts of the Russian capital. The German said, 'I think we are going to learn a lot about each other.' A cosmonaut-in-training who will lead the mission was quoted: 'On the inside, we will have a lack of incoming information, so it's the science of sensory deprivation.' A similar experiment in Moscow virtually collapsed when a multinational team of men and women were allowed to drink alcohol on the eve of the millennium, and simmering tensions between Russian and non-Russian volunteers exploded in a fight for the affections of a female Canadian scientist. Only men are involved this time, and no alcohol. Scientists will keep a constant vigil on the team via cameras erected in each of the facility's three modules. Those who survive more than 100 days will earn a $20,000 reward. The current project is a warm-up for a much more ambitious experiment, scheduled for December, which will see another group of volunteers spending over 500 days in the same conditions. With current technology it is estimated that a return trip to Mars will take at least 18 months." The amazing thing is that 5,600 people applied to be part of the experiment.
Only men and no alcohol? (Score:0, Funny)
Of all the planets, Uranus is now looking especially attractive.
In Soviet Russia, experiment volunteers YOU! (Score:5, Funny)
Such comfort is a far cry from experiments staged in Russia during the Soviet era. During one project in the 1970s, a group of volunteers was strapped to gurneys, tilted at an angle so their heads were 45 degrees below their feet, for six months, as part of a study on the impact of weightlessness on the human body. The volunteers were fed through tubes placed near their mouths.
Well, that's one experiment I sure as hell wouldn't volunteer for.
I wonder if the Soviet "volunteers" were voluntold. Or if they were only told that they were volunteering for a space exploration experiment, not the details. Heh.
Who says Reality TV is dead? (Score:5, Funny)
"The crew...will spend the next 105 days living in a minimally furnished facility erected in a hanger..."
Does that remind anyone else of their first semester in college?
Re:100 days, $20k !? (Score:5, Funny)
A $20,000 reward for anyone who can handle over 100 days of cramped conditions with other humans, no sex or booze, and lack if information from the rest of the world?
And they only give released prisoners a mere $200.
Given what passes for news lately, the "lack of information" is actually part of the compensation package.
Re:Lousy marketing (Score:3, Funny)
They could have gotten an easy 1K more just by posting here.
Mars simulation isolation experiment log book day one: FIRST POST!
Before he wrecks himself? (Score:5, Funny)
"Working in such conditions requires that a person be able to check himself, evaluate his condition in relation to the crew and in relation to mission control and be able to correct himself," said Boris V. Marukov, the experiment's director and a former crew member on the International Space Station."
Translating Ice Cube lyrics from Russian is terribly complicated.
Re:FAIL (Score:3, Funny)
I think Russia's sexism is showing.
In the battle between Russia's alcoholism and Russia's sexism, Canada loses.
Wrong perspective or different existance... (Score:5, Funny)
Yeah, but you're missing something here.
After I'm done, I can add 'NASA Mars Expedition Lab-Rat/Test-Monkey' to my resume!
Now that's cool!
Plus, I get $20,000 USD to move out of Mom's basement for three months...maybe she will get some of my laundry done while I'm gone!
On the other hand, she will expect me to get a job when I get back. :-(
Re:Who says Reality TV is dead? (Score:4, Funny)
I don't understand it. That was non-alcoholic champagne.
Re:Lousy marketing (Score:5, Funny)
Mars simulation isolation experiment log book day Two: Tensions running high between Russian volunteers and /. volunteers over constant "In soviet russia" jokes
Mars simulation isolation experiment log book day three: ???
Mars simulation isolation experiment log book day four: PROFIT!
Mars simulation isolation experiment log book day five: Fighting broke out when /. volunteers found out ships computers were not running Linux, experiment ended, all /. volunteers are dead.
How dare you Slashdot (Score:5, Funny)
Google is my next stop...
Re:Adequate Reward? Please... (Score:2, Funny)
So... $20,000/100 Days = $200 dollars, day. $200/24 hours = $8.33/hour. Some people really need to do the math before going "OMG THATS A GREAT REWARD" >> Kudos to those running the experiment. Cheap labor is great.
Pft, as a broke college student, I'd do it. It would sure beat flipping burgers for a summer job.
Re:Finish this joke (Score:2, Funny)
What is this, some kind of joke?
Re:Limited information? (Score:3, Funny)
Their communications should start looking more and more like e-mail every day...Why not factor that into the experiment?
Make 'em use Hotmail?...On dialup?
Re:Wrong perspective or different existance... (Score:3, Funny)
Plus, I get $20,000 USD to move out of Mom's basement for three months...maybe she will get some of my laundry done while I'm gone!
I expect it's more likely her first priority will be to change the locks...
Re:Hey KDAWSON! Please PROOFREAD your summaries. (Score:1, Funny)
The British spelling is hangour .