Record-breaking Mars 500 crew returns home
08 November 2011
After more than 17 months sealed inside four metal cabins, the Mars 500 crew has returned to planet Earth. At 14:00 Moscow time (11:00 CET) on 4 November, the first full-length simulation of a human mission to Mars came to a successful end when the six smiling “astronauts” stepped out of their “spacecraft”. They were then led to meet doctors and their families and close friends.
The record-breaking simulated mission had started 520 days earlier, on 3 June 2010, at the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow. Over the following months, the crew of three Russians, one Chinese and two ESA volunteers – one from Italy and the other from France - experienced many of the conditions that will face future astronauts travelling to the red planet.
Shut away in their mock-up spacecraft, they completed a long flight to Mars, insertion into orbit around the planet, landing, surface exploration, return to orbit, a lengthy return flight and arrival at Earth. During the ‘flight’, the crew performed more than 100 experiments, all linked to the problems of long-duration missions in deep space.
To add to their isolation, communications with mission control were delayed by up to 20 minutes, just like the natural delays that would take place on a real Mars flight. Despite their different backgrounds, the courageous crew showed the motivation and team spirit that enabled them to keep going under very difficult conditions.
During their first few days of freedom, the crew will undergo extensive medical and psychological checks. They will also enjoy some private time and relaxation. Their mission continues into early December with a series of debriefings, tests and evaluations.
