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This webcast interview with Alan Alda (on Earth) and astronaut Andrew Thomas (on the Russian Space Station Mir) was conducted on March 23, 1998, with about half of the astronaut's stay aboard Mir behind him. The American presence aboard Mir is yielding important information about how humans can survive and thrive in space for long durations. That knowledge is helping to build a foundation for a human mission to Mars. It may take as long as 26 months to travel from Earth to Mars. In that time, astronauts will be too far away to look back and see Earth - how will they be affected by the distance and the darkness between themselves and their home? The live interview gives listeners an opportunity to hear the views of Dr. Thomas on a human trip to Mars. Alan Alda asked Andy Thomas about his experiences aboard Mir and what it is like to be so far from home. They talked about the physical and psychological effects of living in space, and about methods for counteracting those effects, including exercise programs and computer-programmed surprises designed to help astronauts feel connected to their friends and families. The webcast is 50 minutes in length. The site also contains further information, links on these topics, and some educational activities.
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