Two members of Mars500 simulation crew took first steps on the red planet

Almaty. February 15. Kazakhstan Today - Two members of a simulated space flight to Mars have taken their first 'steps' on the red planet, Kazakhstan Today reports.

Three of the Mars 500 volunteers left their claustrophobic wood-panelled capsule for the first time in eight months, transferring to a landing module for the 'touchdown' on Mars, BBC News reported.

The six-man mission began in June last year at a research centre in Moscow.

The experiment, a joint venture between a Russian science institute and the European Space Agency, ESA, is the longest ever space simulation experiment.

Researchers will look at how well they cope in their spacesuits, each of which weighs 32 kilos, after the long period of reduced physical activity and isolation.

Three of the men are Russians, two are Europeans and one is Chinese.

Few people are allowed near the research centre for fear of contaminating the conditions of the experiment.

Since last summer the men have been subjected to some bizarre experiments aimed at finding out more about the physical and psychological effects of long distance space travel.

The head of the project, ESA astronaut Dr Christer Fuglesang, is a veteran of two shuttle missions to the International Space Station.

He said: "Boredom and monotony - from our point of view what's important is to try to not give them too much or too little to do and then come up with some interesting things to beat the monotony."

Karaoke has been a key outlet for the men.

Video diaries have showed them venting their boredom through an often unmelodic version of Blur's 'Song 2'.

Though meticulously planned, their diet has looked pretty uninspiring - and it will remain so until their mission ends in November.

The completion of this stage brings the possibility of a manned mission to Mars that bit closer, though that is not likely any earlier than 2030.

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