PARIS, Nov. 10 (UPI) -- The European Space Agency says crew selection for a simulated Mars mission is closer to completion with the medical screening of the last eight candidates.
Two of the European candidates will be chosen to join four Russian crew members on a study due to start in March. For 105 days, as part of a cooperative ESA-Russian project, the six-men will live, eat, sleep and work in a specially designed facility in Moscow.
"During this time they will experience elements of a simulated Mars mission," the ESA said. "Their stay is a precursor to the full Mars500 study due to start later in 2009, which will see another six-member crew sealed in the chamber to experience a complete 520-day Mars mission."
The studies will assess the effect that isolation has on various psychological and physiological aspects, such as stress, hormone regulation and immunity, sleep quality, mood and the effectiveness of dietary supplements.
The final eight candidates, all male and between 28 and 39 years of age, come from Denmark, Sweden, Germany, France and Belgium.
Having started the selection process with some 5,600 applicants, the final selection of the ESA's two crew members, plus two backups, will be announced in mid-December.
