A two part series looking at the extraordinary biology of isolated communities, and how by studying them we can learn more about the biggest one of all - Planet Earth.
In the second programme, Andrew Luck-Baker explores our fascination with artificial isolation. The media seems obsessed with the concept of taking a group of people and locking them away, be it on an Island, or the Big Brother house. But scientists too are taking a keen interest in creating self sustaining Closed Worlds. If we are ever to explore the solar system, we will need to invent closed systems that will supply all our essentials for years on end and a manned Mars mission is a prime example.
The effects of long term space travel are high on the list of priorities of the top space programmes around the world, and already some interesting experiments are going on down here on Planet Earth to recreate conditions in these enclosed environments. Andrew Luck-Baker talks to NASA scientists about their hopes for a manned Mars mission, and visits a pod in Utah where researchers are finding out first hand, just what such a mission might be like.
Listen again to Programme 2
