Can we go to Mars?

'Vietnamese friends have absolutely had the opportunity to experience life simulating Mars because the cost of this' cohabitation' is not expensive. Only 3,000 USD / person / 2 weeks'.

>> Chat with 'People from Mars' in Vietnam

Virgil Pop from the Romanian space agency, one of six people who participated in a life simulation program on Mars said in a meeting in Vietnam on June 14, in Hanoi.

3 days a shower

Heard you just had a trip to Mars within 2 weeks?

Not on real Mars. Currently, we have only put some robots to explore the surface of Mars.

Scientists have simulated life on Mars. Those involved in this simulation will be 'detained' in a special station, completely separate from everyday life. The people there will have to live and experience the challenges and situations that people may face when they arrive in Mars.

Mr. Virgil Pop comes from the Romanian space agency.

How many people does your group have? Where did you live?

There is a Mars Research Center in the state of Utah in the United States. Although this center is American, but for many years, they have expanded to the international community to study here.

Our group consists of 6 people (equal to the number of astronauts in future flights to Mars). Each person takes on a different specialty. I am the leader and cook (laugh), a geographer, a biologist, a botanist, a geologist and a meteorologist.

What is that simulated life like?

The food is designed in a special form, drained of water. Water must also be maximized. Water must also be reused. In the future, we have to calculate how to reuse waste.

There, we took a bath for 3 days. Fortunately, the climate is not as hot as Vietnam (laughs).

Is it allowed to use the internet there?

Have. But internet access is only allowed for 1 hour / day. In addition, it takes up to 20 minutes to contact the outside world. As you know, Mars is far away from Earth, so if you're on Mars and talking about Earth, the communication will be 20 minutes late.

In addition, the biggest difference between life on it and real life is freedom of movement. Life there is packed in a small room. 6 people live, work and live in an extremely narrow space.

Determine the direction with the North Star

What do you guys do on Mars?

How the work of those who landed on Mars in the future, our work is the same. For example, look for soil samples to bring back to analysis, write reports and send them to Earth.

Image of a program that simulates life on Mars. Photo: HAS

What is the biggest result after 2 weeks of simulating your life on Mars?

It is solidarity and the ability to adapt to harsh environments. Many challenges are put in place and we must work together. For example on Earth we determine the direction with the compass.

However, there is no magnetic field in Mars, so we need to use the oldest way to find the North Star. In fact, the test trip helps us to "overcome ourselves", overcome the loneliness when living apart from the outside world, overcome unexpected situations that can happen .

Bring cats and spices to Mars

Assuming hypothesis if they were allowed to go to Mars, and were allowed to bring personal items, what would he bring to it?

I want to bring a cat . (Laugh). I also want to bring spices. Because the food was drained, the food was very boring, no taste. In addition, I think an indispensable thing is the national flag.

Hearing him tell me about that trial life, I also wanted to take a trip. But will I be able to participate?

Why not. As long as you have good health, knowledge and money (Laugh). Approximately 1,000 USD, plus the cost of aircraft and other surcharges, totaling about 3,000 USD / person.