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Russia Tests 'Real World: Mars'

6 cosmonauts will spend 520 days in isolation on simulated journey

By Zach Samalin, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 14, 2007 2:25 PM CDT

(Newser) – In a sort of extraterrestrial edition of MTV's "Real World," Russia will lock six would-be cosmonauts in a "spaceship" for 520 days in a simulated voyage to Mars. As Russian scientists test the effects of extended isolation, participants will spend 2 years growing their own vegetables, breathing "spaceship air," and drinking reprocessed urine, Der Spiegel reports.

Participants may leave the ship only after 280 days, in spacesuits, when the "ship" briefly "lands" on Mars. Cameras will record their every move. Scientists hope psychological screening ensures a smooth ride: A previous 6-month experiment flopped after drama drove one participant to quit and the team leader tried to kiss a female colleague, who began sleeping with a knife.

[Images (3)]

[Videos (1)]

NASA's Hubble Space Telescope took this picture of Mars 11 hours before the planet made its closest approach to Earth on Aug. 26, 2003. If you have planetary vision, want to be on the cutting edge and... (Associated Press)

European Space Agency (ESA) Director General Jean-Jacques Dordain, center, arrives for a meeting with Czech Premier Mirek Topolanek in Prague, Tuesday, June 12, 2007. Czech Republic began negotiations... (Associated Press)

Russian President Vladimir Putin and First Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev, background left, visit the village of Tavrovo in the western Belgorod region, on Thursday, Sept. 13, 2007. President Vladimir... (Associated Press)

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Russia Tests 'Real World: Mars'