The simulated flight to Mars and back will take 520 days. Moscow, November 19 (Interfax-AVN) - The third, main stage of the project Mars-500, in which six volunteers will spend 520 days in isolation, will begin in the first half of 2010, the Institute for Medical and Biological Issues of the Russian Academy of Sciences told Interfax.

"The international crew of six people will simulate a flight to Mars and back for 520 days. Despite the fact that a lot of requests have already been received from Russia and other countries, the 'mission to Mars' has not yet been formed and the Institute for Medical and Biological Issues continues accepting applications from Russian volunteers to take part in the experiment," an official with the Institute for Medical and Biological Issues said.

The project Mars-500 is being implemented by the Institute for Medical and Biological Issues along with Roskosmos, the Russian Academy of Sciences, and international organizations.

"The simulation of an interplanetary flight implies a lot of restrictions on the diet and food because the project rules out any additional supply of products, even essentials. Consequently, the diet of the project participants should contain a broad range of products which are good for at least two years," the official said.

"Besides food, the project participants will need a lot of other items such as sportswear, underwear, disposable dishes, and things such as serviettes, paper towels, and other personal hygiene products," the source said.