MOSCOW, March 24 (Xinhua) -- A name for a series of experiments that simulates flights to outer space has been chosen, the Moscow-based Institute of Medical and Biological Problems (IMBP) press service said Friday.

The name for the experiments conducted jointly by the IMBP and the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration is "SIRIUS", an abbreviation of Scientific International Research In Unique Terrestrial Station.

"It was selected from 106 names suggested by 41 participants," the institute said.

The goal of the experiments is to study problems related to human behavior in a confined space, including biological and psychological ones, and working ability during long spaceflights via simulation.

The experiments includes a two- or three-week test planned for this year, an eight-month simulation scheduled for 2019, and a one-year project set for 2020-2021.