The Moscow Institute of Medical and Biological Problems launched the 520-day experiment on June 3, 2010. The Mars-500 project simulates almost all aspects of a journey to the Red Planet, with a 250-day outward trip, a 30-day "stay" on its surface, and a 240-day return flight, reports RIA Novosti. "Marsonauts" (word is the new Russian invention) will have limited, real-life nutrition, space confinement, and access to food, water and communication. The space suits are weight-adjusted and take into account Mars' gravity - legs are easier to move, and the oxygen tanks weigh less. The project's managers have been throwing emergency situations at the crew both during the moments of contact with the Moscow's space control center, and when Earth was "unavailable." While on Mars, the crew will endure a sand storm and a meteor shower. They will also have to look for water and collect samples.

Yesterday, Russian Alexander Smolevsky and Italian-Colombian Diego Urbina conducted the first research of Mars. Two more walks are schedule for February 18 and 22. Three team members will have to stay in the main module and won't get a chance to "walk" the Red Planet. Russian, Chinese, Italian, Colombian, and French volunteer "marsonauts" are participating in the experiment watched with excitement by the European Space Agency, Chinese, and Russian Space Agency officials in the Moscow suburbs. The simulated exploration of the Red Planet will last until February 23. Then, the "marsonauts" will have to pack up and endure the eight-months "flight" back, after which each participant will receive a gift of $100,000. Originally, more than 6,000 people from across the world applied to participate in the experiment.