It's fitting the island that played host to the show LOST would have a NASA research station built on an abandoned quarry, next to the world's largest and most active volcano. It's called HI-SEAS Habitat (Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation) and its mission was to simulate long-term research on Mars.


On Mauna Loa volcano's northern slope, approximately 8,000 feet in elevation, lies a series of cinder cones that skirt around a collapsed lava tube. The surrounding area is also used as a military testing site. Where the geodesic dome is located however, there's little-to-no vegetation, endangered species, or cultural sites. The crew experimented with hydroponic robot farming, using remote-controlled robotic arms. The mission's primary purpose was to study how to feed a long-term crew on Mars. :

As part of a simulated Mars mission with the primary goal of learning how to best feed crew on long space journeys to prevent “menu fatigue,” the six researchers compared two types of food systems — crew-cooked vs. pre-prepared. Using only dehydrated and shelf-stable food items and limited water, the crew alternated between the “just add water” variety of typical space foodstuffs with recipes cobbled together by crew members and suggested by the public. Russian borscht, seafood chowder, Moroccan beef, sushi sans the fresh fish and dehydrated “Chickenish” meat substitute with rice and beans all received rave reviews. The Kung Fu chicken, on the other hand, was declared slimy and barely palatable.


The 4-month long research project wrapped up in August, but you can still visit the Martian landscape on your next vacation to Hawaii. Unlike the researchers, you'll be able to enjoy a mai tai (or 4) at the end of the day. [West Hawaii Today]




Photos via HI SEAS Habitat.