More than 120 volunteers registered to join the simulated flight to Mars

The Russian Space Agency (Roskosmos) has said that more than 120 volunteers have registered to fly on a manned journey to Mars expected in 2007. The recruitment is continuing. Among those registered, there are 16 women from 21 countries.

After processing the data in the questionnaires, Roskomos will publish to candidates about the selection conditions based on each person's health and psychology. Selection will be held in two stages by the Institute of Biomedical Sciences.

The selection committee chaired by the vice president of the Boris Moroukov Institute consists of doctors, psychologists and jurists.

Researchers from the European Space Agency (ESA) are also looking forward to participating in the experiment. European experts will participate in preparing this event, drafting a science program and sponsoring the project.

Two places were reserved for ESA envoys within the Mars-500 project. Representatives of the agency will also participate in one or two tests that simulate the conditions of a space flight. This flight can last up to 105 days.