With33 miners trapped deep underground, Chile is seeking advice from NASA on how tokeep them mentally and physically fit for the months it may take to rescue them.
"Wereceived a request from the Chilean government about advice related to our lifescience research," John Yembrick, a NASA spokesman, told SPACE.comWednesday.
TheU.S. space agency, which routinely trains astronauts to cope with the isolationof months-long InternationalSpace Station missions, is providing survival tips to Chilean officials,who are able to communicate with the miners trapped 2,300 feet (700 meters) belowthe Earth's surface. The rescue mission could take up to four months, accordingto press reports.
"Rightnow, we're still waiting to find out what specific questions they have for us,and how best we can assist," Yembrick said.
"Psychologicallyspeaking, we have to try to keep them on the right track and not give themfalse hope that it will be a short rescue," the Reuters news agency quotedChile's Mining Minister Laurence Golborne as saying.
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