NASA Considers ISS for a Simulated Mars Mission

It seems NASA is considering the ISS as a platform for a mock Mars mission, based somewhat on the results of the Russian land based experiment a few years ago. One of the main research points would be the effects of microgravity on the astronauts over an extended period of time.

Space station program manager Mike Suffredini said during a news conference on March 20th:

• "Clearly, in order to be able to explore beyond low-Earth orbit, we're going to have to stay in orbit for longer than six months,"

Space.com article