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The purpose of the presented GLOBEMSI study was to carry out a scientific analysis of the EMSI (European Mannned Space Infrastructure) data collected from the three experimental simulation campaign conducted by ESA (European Space Agency): ISEMSI-90, EXEMSI-92 and HUBES-94. The scientific aim has been to obtain informations on the psychological and physiological effects of long-term isolation and confinement of a small crew under conditions simulating those that may be expected to exist in a space station. The experimental protocol of ISEMSI-90, EXEMSI-92 and HUBES-94 was to confine within a closed habitat varying by the architecture, i.e. facilities of 4, 2 and 1 main chamber respectively; varying by the size of the crew, i.e. 6, 4 and 3 crewmembers respectively; varying by the duration of the simulation campaign, i.e. 28, 60 and 135 days respectively.

The complex nature of the challenge as humans embark on exploration missions beyond Earth orbit will require that, in the early stages, simulation facilities be established at least on Earth. Suitable facilities in Low Earth Orbit and on the Moon surface would provide complementary information of critical importance for the overall design of a human mission to Mars. A full range of simulation campaigns is required, in fact, to reach a better understanding of the complexities involved in exploration missions that will bring humans back to the Moon and then outward to Mars. The corresponding simulation means may range from small scale environmental simulation chambers and/or computer models that will aid in the development of new materials, to full scale mock-ups of spacecraft and planetary habitats and/or orbiting infrastructures.