HI-SEAS

19°36′09″N 155°29′14″W / 19.602378°N 155.487192°W / 19.602378; -155.487192

HI-SEAS tests hazmat and MX-C space suit simulators

The Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS) is an analog habitat for human spaceflight to Mars currently operated by the International MoonBase Alliance.[1][2][3][4] HI-SEAS is located in an isolated position on the slopes of the Mauna Loa volcano on the island of Hawaii. The area has Mars-like features and an elevation of approximately 8,200 feet (2,500 m) above sea level. The first HI-SEAS study was in 2013 and NASA's Human Research Program continues to fund and sponsor follow-up studies.[5] The missions are of extended duration from four months to a year. Its missions place HI-SEAS in the company of a small group of analogs that are capable of operating very long duration missions (8-months and longer) in isolated and confined environments, such as Mars500, Concordia, and the International Space Station.[6]

The purpose of the detailed research studies is to determine what is required to keep a space flight crew happy and healthy during an extended mission to Mars and while living on Mars.[7] Research into food, crew dynamics, behaviors, roles and performance, and other aspects of space flight and a mission on Mars itself is the primary focus. The HI-SEAS researchers also carry out studies on a variety of other topics as part of their daily activities.

One thing under study by NASA is trying to understand crew dynamics such as morale, stress management, and how they solve problems as a group.[8]

  1. ^ "HI-SEAS: The Hawai'i Space Exploration Analog and Simulation". Retrieved 3 November 2022.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference cope was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  3. ^ Kim A. Binsted and J. B. Hunter (2013). "HI-SEAS (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) as an opportunity for long duration instrument/protocol testing and verification" (PDF). University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa and Cornell University. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  4. ^ Chang, Kenneth (20 October 2014). "In a Dome in Hawaii, a Mission to Mars". NASA. Retrieved 20 October 2014.
  5. ^ "HI-SEAS to study human performance for long-duration space exploration (2013)". Hawaii 24/7. 20 June 2013. Retrieved 20 September 2013.
  6. ^ Haeuplik-Meusburger, Sandra; Binsted, Kim; Bassingthwaighte, Tristan (16 July 2017). "Habitability Studies and Full Scale Simulation Research: Preliminary Themes Following HISEAS Mission IV". International Conference on Environmental Systems.
  7. ^ Mike Wall (14 August 2013). "Mars Food Scientists End 4-Month Mock Space Mission In Hawaii". Space.com. Retrieved 30 April 2014.
  8. ^ "Mars on Earth: Mock Space Mission Examines Trials of Daily Life". Space.com. Retrieved 4 January 2017.