Four Russians and two other Europeans have begun a 105 day stay in a habitat located in Russia to test the human psychological response to extreme close quarters isolation. Each volunteer will have a small sleeping area and be able to bring books, dvd’s and a laptop with them. All supplies are locked in and all communications with the outside world will be delayed just as if they were traveling for real to the red planet.
A quote from an eager European.
“How do I feel? I am very motivated. There is a kind of relief. We have been working for a long time and finally we are getting to the start point,” Frenchman Cyrille Fournier told reporters just hours ahead of the experiment.
“The challenge is to live with the same people for a long period but it is a positive challenge. I think we are going to learn a lot about each other,” added his German fellow volunteer Oliver Knickel.
“The aim is to test the physiological and psychological effects of isolation,” he added.
This test was obviously necessary. God speed to them in their virtual journey. If the members of this trial make it out in reasonably good condition, a longer American trial of 520 days will begin soon after. More details at Yahoo News. Thanks also to io9.
