A few days ago, the European Space Agency launched a new experiment in Germany to study how humans cope in social isolation, and emulate parts of a potential future mission to Mars. There are six participants, who have voluntarily entered a sealed, simulated space station and will not be allowed out until August. Conditions inside are highly controlled and structured, with a daily schedule of experiments.  If you think you’d be interested, here are some of the rules you’d have to follow to be part of the team:

1.  You must submit to regular blood tests.

2.  You can’t communicate or make eye contact with medics or any other officials. You’ll get instructions and routines through short audio briefings.

3.  You must exercise for an hour every day.

4.  You can only shower for five minutes, twice a week.

5.  You have limited clothing and laundry facilities.

6.  You can only eat rationed, pre-packaged “space-style” foods.  There are no fresh fruits or vegetables . . . or Chick-fil-A.

7.  There’s no alcohol or energy drinks, and tea and coffee are very limited.

8.  You’re allowed just one two-hour video call with family once a week.

9.  Only one small shoebox of personal items is allowed.

10.  You only get privacy in your tiny sleeping pod and in the bathroom and can only sleep at regulated times, between 11:00 P.M. and 7:00 A.M.

11.  Forming relationships with the other travelers is frowned upon, because it could impact team dynamics and performance.  And there’s a strict no sex rule.

12.  A trip to the Moon takes around four days, but traveling to Mars takes about six months. That means astronauts will be trapped together in confined quarters with limited resources as they journey FAR away from home.

(The Telegraph / Archive)