The members of the Mars 500 test team left the simulator after a year and a half

At the European Space Agency, which was a partner together with the Russian Space Agency in the project, they are satisfied with the results, especially with the social cohesion of the crew members

The simulation mission of a flight to Mars ended with a smile on the faces of the participants after 17 months. The six team members got out of their "spacecraft" and were received by the scientists in the project, happy that the operation was a greater success than expected.
Mars500, the realistic simulation mission of humans to the neighboring planet began 520 days ago, on June 3, 2010 at the Institute of Biomedical Problems in Moscow.

The international team is isolated in a model of an interplanetary spacecraft, as they follow the steps of a real mission: a long flight to Mars, entering orbit around the planet, landing, exploring the surface, returning to orbit, a monotonous flight back to Earth, and reaching Earth.

During the 'flight', the team members performed over 100 experiments, all related to the problems involved in a long mission to deep space. To add to their isolation, communication with the control center was artificially delayed to simulate the delay over long distances in the real journey to Mars.

The team consisted of three Russians, one Chinese and two Europeans who performed surprisingly well. They maintained group cohesion and showed that motivation and team spirit can keep people alive in extremely difficult conditions. The scientists were satisfied with their discipline."

"Thank you for your impressive efforts" said the director general of the European Space Agency Jean-Jacques Dordin in a call from Paris after the crew members got off the model.
"I respect the courage, determination and generosity of these young people who dedicated almost two years of their lives to the project, to the advancement of the manned space program."

A reunion

The doors opened on Friday, November 4, at 14:00 Moscow time and the astronauts will emerge from their vehicle and wave to the mission managers. After their first taste of freedom, they were taken to a meeting with doctors and their families and close friends.
"It's good to see you again" said Diego Urbina, the representative of Italy and the European Space Agency in the operation team after the departure.

"With the Mars500 mission, we have achieved the longest space mission simulation that humanity will be able to undertake to advance a new dawn at the distance of an achievable planet."

"As a member of the European Space Agency team I am honored to be a part of this impressive challenge together with five of the most professional, sociable and stable people I have worked with in my life. We always stood by our friends during this space odyssey."
Romain Charles, a member of the French team added: "A year and a half ago I was chosen by the European Space Agency team to be part of the Mars500 team. Today, after a motionless journey for 520 days, I am proud to prove, together with the international team members, that a manned journey to Mars is within the realm of possibility."

We all acquired valuable experience that will help us in planning a future trip to Mars. "We're ready to go on the next spacecraft that goes there." said.
During the first days of leave, the team members will undergo comprehensive medical examinations and a physiological assessment. They will also enjoy some private time and rest before speaking to the media on November 8 in Moscow.
Their mission will continue until the beginning of December, when they will undergo a series of briefings, tests and assessments to collect the final data of the mission.