<p><br /> Six astronauts are preparing to spend 520 days together in a sealed-off complex to simulate the rigours of a mission to Mars.<br /> </p><p><br /> Mars500 is a simulated trip to the red planet to test how long it takes for isolation to affect humans.<br /> </p><p><br /> Three Russians, an Italian-Colombian, a Frenchman and Chinese astronaut will be locked up in a set of cramped compartments in Moscow and will not be released until November 2011.<br /> </p><p><br /> The six men will be allowed just three square metres of personal space per person and will live and work like astronauts, with maintenance tasks, scientific experiments and daily exercise.<br /> </p><p><br /> Last year four Russians, one German and a Frenchman successfully completed a 105-day simulated trip to Mars.<br /> </p><p><br /> Like them, this crew will be monitored closely, and psychological and physiological data will be recorded during the mission.<br /> </p>
