The HI-SEAS Habitat is located at approximately 8000 ft elevation in an abandoned quarry on the northern slope of Mauna Loa. It lies next to an escarpment formed from a string of cinder cones dotting a collapsed lava tube. The site contains little vegetation, no rare, threatened or endangered species, and no archaeological sites or cultural practices.

The habitat, based on a dome supplied by Pacific Domes International with internal two-story structure designed by V. Paul Ponthieux of Envision Design, was built by Blue Planet Research of Honolulu, Hawaii. The geodesic dome is 36 feet in diameter , enclosing a volume of 13,570 cubic feet. The ground floor has an area of 993 square feet (878 square feet usable) and includes common areas such as kitchen, dining, bathroom with shower, lab, exercise, and common spaces. The second floor loft spans an area of 424 square feet and includes six separate staterooms and a half bath. In addition, a 160 square foot workshop converted from a 20-foot high steel shipping container is attached to the habitat.

The first floor of the Hab has a kitchen, dining area, common work space, exercise area, and lab. It is an open concept design with views to the second floor sleeping quarters.

The second floor contain six crew sleeping quarters and a bathroom.

We will be providing more detailed information on the Hab, including updated photos and the various systems, as the crew settles in for the mission ahead.