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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region Forums6 Americans just moved into 1300 sq ft dome - they'll stay there for 8 months to mimick trip to Mars
In a Dome in Hawaii, a Mission to Mars
On the way to Mars, Neil Scheibelhut stopped by Walmart for mouthwash and dental floss. Were picking up some last-minute things, he said via cellphone last Wednesday afternoon from the store.
Mr. Scheibelhut is not actually an astronaut leaving the earth. But three hours later, he and five other people stepped into a dome-shaped building on a Hawaiian volcano where they will live for the next eight months, mimicking a stay on the surface of Mars.
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The crew members are granted some exceptions. They can check a few websites, like their banking accounts, to ensure that their earth lives do not fall apart while they are away. There is also a cellphone for emergency communications; If a hurricane (a distinctly un-Martian weather pattern) were to threaten the dome, as almost occurred over the weekend when Hurricane Ana veered south of Hawaii, mission control would not delay telling the crew to evacuate.
Some 150 people applied to participate. Dr. Binsted said the three men and three women of this Hi-Seas crew were chosen to have a similar mix of experience and backgrounds as real NASA astronauts, and many indeed aspire to go to space.
The commander is Martha Lenio, 34, an entrepreneur looking to start a renewable-energy consulting company. Other crew members are Jocelyn Dunn, 27, a Purdue University graduate student; Sophie Milam, 26, a graduate student at the University of Idaho; Allen Mirkadyrov, 35, a NASA aerospace engineer; and Zak Wilson, 28, a mechanical engineer who worked on military drone aircraft at General Atomics in San Diego.
http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/21/science/taking-minds-on-a-journey-to-mars.html
The habitat is based on a dome supplied by Pacific Domes International with internal two-story structure. The first floor has a kitchen, dining area, common work space, exercise area, and lab. The second floor contains six crew-sleeping quarters and a bathroom.
Although numerous space analog studies have been conducted over the years, this is the longest U.S. study to-date. Worldwide, only the Mars500 study during 2010-2011 surpasses this one in total duration.
Simulated space walks will provide HI-SEAS members with a chance to experience the outdoors, but only while wearing bulky simulated space suits.
http://www.sci-news.com/space/science-nasas-hi-seas-team-hawaii-mars-mission-02220.html
http://hi-seas.org/?p=1278
he 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 the Blue Planet Foundation 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.
snooper2
(30,151 posts)wonder if that was done by design
malthaussen
(17,175 posts)If they go crazy and try to kill each other, they'll be stopped. That wouldn't happen on the actual mission.
-- Mal
Rhinodawg
(2,219 posts)we should get a under/over pool up.
Make7
(8,543 posts)Interesting nonetheless. At first glance, the pictures make me think the dome isn't airtight - if it is, I wonder how they are producing oxygen - and also what kind of airlock system might be in place to simulate excursions into the "Mars" atmosphere.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)One of the first lessons I learned when I joined the marines.
Erich Bloodaxe BSN
(14,733 posts)Even for a one-way trip to Mars, as long as it was to work on establishing a permanent base.
Tierra_y_Libertad
(50,414 posts)Itchinjim
(3,084 posts)dilby
(2,273 posts)A trip to mars would be great, you are making history that people will remember. A pretend trip for 8 months being stuck with 5 other people in a tiny confinement, not for all the money in the world.
Johonny
(20,818 posts)It is likely to get you much more fame than any real science you ever do. The sad statement of science in the US or the fact people love things that sound like science but probably aren't likely to have much science interest or value in the real science world.
"Don't forget to write!"
lindysalsagal
(20,584 posts)Is this just a short-term experiment, or are we really only 8 months away?
DeadEyeDyck
(1,504 posts)DeadEyeDyck
(1,504 posts)Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)adirondacker
(2,921 posts)Anything over 4 months (with some 3)and you can see personality changes. I did 4.5 once and it took a couple of weeks to shake off.
Of course there is the factor of ship movement that constantly interferes with your sleep.
I'll be willing to wager that they'll be in some discomfort after 4-5 months, major in 6, but able to push through the last 2.
Habibi
(3,598 posts)That alone will be a serious problem.
Liberal_in_LA
(44,397 posts)JanMichael
(24,873 posts)Can't want to see it on straight to video streaming. Gooo NETFLIX!! Woo!