Stages of the MARS 500 project

The Mars 500 project consists of three experiments, or if you like, three isolation periods of various durations:

• 14-day isolation (November 2007): the first stage of project; short two-week isolation was designed to test the simulator facilities, functionality of the modules (the residential one and scientific one at this stage), servicing of life-supporting systems (water, air), of the control centre and its synchronization with the simulator environment, as well as developing reasonable conditions for the life and work of the crew (6 members, Russia).
  
  
  

• 105-day isolation (31.3.2009 - 14.7.2009): The aim of this almost 4-month isolation was to acquire and analyze scientific and technical data necessary to optimally organize and prepare the principal stage of the experiment – the 520-day isolation simulating the entire flight of a human crew to Mars. The crew of 6 members (4 Russians, 1 German and 1 French) explored the main specifics and issues of a flight to Mars, especially the psychic adaptation of the crew members to the environment of autonomous decision-making; interaction of crew members; impact of reduced communication with the outside world and medical and technical equipment of the simulator.
  
  

• 520-day isolation (launched: 3. 6. 2010 – end: 4. 11. 2011): see 520-day isolation section in the main menu.

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