‘Mars’ experiment - up for it?

Question

The European Space Agency has called for applications for one of the most demanding human experiments in space history - a simulated trip to Mars in which six "astronauts" will spend 17 months in an isolation tank on Earth.

More details here: http://uk.news.yahoo.com/afp/20070619/tsc-space-mars-europe-4de741d.html

17 months seems like an awfully long time, but it’s an historic experiment.

Would you be up for it? And what makes you suitable?

Answer 1

Indeed 17 months is a long time, but - as already stated - it is in the name of science.

As many people have already said, the weightlessness of the trip & the low gravity of Mars would not be re-created on Earth. We have to find out if we have people who can remain together in a confined space for a long period of time in order to see if the journey itself is humanly & physically feasible.

I believe I have the qualities required to achieve this; I am resourceful, especially when the resources themselves are severely restricted. I also have very high levels of tolerance and patience, several people have described my patience as unbounded. This is, of course, an absolute must for the experiment.

Furthermore, my emotional stability is also extremely high - another must-have. My IQ of 154 would undoubtedly be helpful in tricky situations, and I am excellent at talking to people & putting them at their ease.

I am physically fit, able-bodied and extremely determined to complete anything which I start. In short, I think you'd be hard pushed to find anyone better suited for the task.

Answer 2

Why would I be up for it? and yes 17 months is a awfully long time to be locked up in an isolated tank, but its a historic experiment, I wanna go down on history as one of the first person that had a experience of Mars. also when people start travailing to mars on holidays and visits i wanna be able to say to my family and when I have children that I helped or played apart for this to happen, when people do a search on yahoo and google about mars and how everything started I want my name to be there. And being called a Astronaut, well that's just too cool, i like it already "Astronaut Ams"

I think I am suitable because firstly I am young, only 23 very healthy no medical problems what so ever, I have a lot of energy that I can burn over the 17 months and I am very hungry for a big achievement in life such as this and I think I will get from this experiment

Answer 3

To start with 17 months in a sardine can doesn't thrill me, but would really make me want to send someone else is that fact that me and 5 of my dumber friends (the smart ones would have just laughed at the idea in the first place) would have for all intents and purposes tied ourselves to the top of a great humungous bomb, pressed the Fire button and hoped to land on Mars a year and a half later. To me what makes this plan graduate from just crazy to the ranks of the truly insane, is that somewhere in big letters on this thing you will find the word "Prototype". Also important is that the guys who built this prototype aren't sitting next to you.

When the Navy gets a submarine back from the shipyard after having major work done , the shipyard commander actually has to go on the first test cruise. Maybe sending the chief designer of the thing on the first mission might improve the safety record on these types of things.

Since it's the European Space Agency, consider that the French launched an Arianne 5 rocket using the Arianne 4 software in its computers. The results were rather spectacular (it blowed up good, it blowed up real good). I'd love to go to outer space, I just don't believe the technology is reliable enough yet.

Also you should probably disregard all of this as I just noticed the word simulated, so only the sardine can objection really makes sense.

Answer 4

I personally wouldn't want to take part, for the very reason that 17 months is a really long time and even though it's an experiment on earth, I wouldn't be happy living with 5 other people in such close proximity and also in those simulated conditions. Although i have an interest in astronomy, i would rather sit back and read about others who have had the experience, it is just to dangerous for me!!!

And to answer the question, yes they will pay about £120 per day...maybe that is good money to some. Good luck to those applying, they are looking for more female applicants so all the best with that. iw ill stay tuned to find out how it goes. Oh and no tv show from it, i love big brother but this would be tedious.

Answer 5

I would, bar the fact that I smoke, drink 2 beers a day and have a wonderful marriage and a job that pays well.. and I like to travel and I love to meet new people all the time and .. you know what?! 502 days / 17 months with the same 12 (11 and me) is a very very very long time.
homesick, missing dvd's, playstation, cinema, drinking, socializing, 'getting away from it all' - you cannot just suddenly decide to 'change careers' that this was 'not for you, actually...' as you are in outer space.. very exiting possibly the first few months, but what then.. no sun, snow, rain.
and the food! No steak, hamburgers, sate, nasi goreng, pad thai.. no you get 'space-gloop'

I understand this is a very important experiment.. but just look at how people behave when they know there is NO WAY OUT FOR A LOOOOOOOONG TIME... they get space crazy, start to do weird things and get mucho obsessed with what they are deprived off.

How about saying the wrong thing at any one time? .. This is not Big Brother you know, you have to face your demons and confront your disagreements. I guess Tom Cruise is right by saying 'never sleep until you solved any argument first'.

In short, I would, but I have my reservations.. this may make me a good candidate, but not a willing one

Answer 6

Yes, I would be up to, and quite willing to participate in this experiment. I would think that such a bold project like this has great merit to in for research purposes.To simulate a trip to Mars for 17 months, would give the staff at the ESA a chance to see how astronauts would react to everyday life and the stress that it might induce, giving them better insight into how to regulate it when they actually have their astronauts go up into space. They can also monitor how the astronauts function in their tasks and how they react to each other in close quarters for such a long period of time.I have a scientific curiosity about the psychological and physical effects of space travel on a human, and I would appreciate the chance to see first hand how and what these reactions might be, and to be able to document them first hand. And a chance to maybe see a simulated version of Mars would certainly be interesting as an experience.

Answer 7

I do not believe there could ever be a reason why you would put six people together in a small tank for 17 months. If the chance of going to Mars ever came it would be given to the highly trained Astronauts not to normal people like us. These experiments usually end up costing the world much money that could be used to make conditions better for now and for the future for all of us already here.

Answer 8

I am a person who drives on completing the most enduring challenges with the highest amount of commitment necessary to complete them. Spending 17 months in an isolation tank really is highly challenging, life-changing and without doubt may seem highly pointless. However the results, conclusions and possibilities that would bloom from such a challenge are limitless. It has always been a goal of mine to change the world, pave the way for better generations, be the world's greatest and to go down in history and this is a perfect, unique and challenging way of completing my goals.
I am young, (18), and live for excitement. I am highly energetic and have a high passion for sports and exercise, needless to say my sex life. True to say, they are a part of my life and giving up probably the best time of my youth would highly effect me and be emotionally effecting but is a challenge that I feel I am ready for. It's just a case of whether your ready for me!

P.S. I didn't look up my answer or any hints or information for my answer.

Answer 9

Sounds better than going to jail at least theres probably a good purpose and pay but it would get real boring and people will kill. I know I once spent a whole winter in a Colorado ski resort alone with my wife and kid and I had to correct them with an axe. She kept trying to turn my son against me.All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy. In 17 months we could really bond and work out some of our past issues so sign us up it will be our quality time together. I bet you would be surprised at how well the mind can fill in the blanks. Before you know it Mars will be right there and so will the martians. We can make it work this time honest.

Answer 10

I agree that instead of a ship, construct a space station and send it toward Mars. When it reaches Mars, mankind would have a permanent research base to study Mars more closely. Instead of 17 months, several shuttles to and from the station would assure a better working atmosphere and would not make a crew of 6 endure such a long mission.