The Mars isolation simulation has ended and the scientists who have endured 1 long year of training have stepped out from the Mauna Loa mountain in Hawaii.
A year ago, NASA designed the isolation simulation and called it NASA Extreme Environment Mission Operations where a group of scientists will be trained and be prepared for the possible living condition that they will experience once they set foot on Mars. Although the training only lasted a year, the crew to be sent to Mars will actually live on the planet for three years.
According to BBC, it was stated that NASA funded the HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) mission was intended to acclimitize the Martian travelers from the 3 year isolation away from humanity and to figure out what long-term isolation can do to a person mentally.
In a press conference, Kim Binstead - the HI-SEAS Principal Investigator - declared, "When NASA is planning these long-duration missions, they have to eliminate or reduce all of the risks before they can go, we're taking a full set of risks that have to do with the crew and their psychology and their well-being on these trips and reducing those risks or even getting rid of them."
As soon as the scientists were ready to join the civilization again, they stated that the isolation simulation was not all that bad because they were allowed to step out every once in a while - the only caveat is they have to wear their spacesuits while they do so.
USA Today reports that one of the scientists, Cyprien Verseux shares his insight on the experience and the upcoming trip to Mars. He says that the mission was realistic, and whatever hurdles they encounter in their journey will be manageable.
Being prepared is an unbeatable approach to overcome anything. Whether it's a competition you are joining or a mission to live in mars, preparation will keep you sane especially when you are going to be isolated from humanity for a whole 3 years. Tristan Bassingthwaighte, one of the members to participate in the mission, shares it is ideal to bring a ton of books and prepare numerous self-developmental activities to keep the boredom from making you crazy.
