Examples of the food items the crew eats during Mars500 isolation, on the left breakfast, in the middle snacks and on the right main dishes.

Six crewmembers are living in a special habitat at the Institute of Biomedical Problems (IBMP) until mid-July. The crew acts as subjects in scientific investigations to assess the effect of isolation on various psychological and physiological aspects, such as stress, hormone regulation and immunity, sleep quality, mood and the effectiveness of dietary supplements. The 105-day study precedes a full simulation of a mission to Mars, due to start late in 2009. This will see another six-member crew sealed in the same chamber to experience a complete 520-day Mars mission simulation.