HI-SEAS, Research station on Mauna Loa volcano, Hawaii, United States
HI-SEAS is a research station on Mauna Loa volcano in Hawaii, a dome-shaped building with two levels containing laboratories and living spaces. The facility functions as a testing ground to understand how people work and live together under isolated conditions.
The station was founded in the 2010s to study conditions for future Mars missions. NASA-funded missions lasted several months to a year, observing how crews functioned in complete isolation.
Scientists from different nations collaborate at HI-SEAS to conduct geological research and test protocols for future space missions on Mars.
The station sits at high elevation on a volcano, so conditions are harsh and weather changes rapidly. Visitors should prepare for extreme altitude and bring warm clothing, as temperatures remain low even during the day.
The lava landscape around the station closely resembles Mars terrain, making it valuable for training Mars landing scenarios. This geological similarity allows researchers to practice real-world space mission preparation on Earth.
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