A Glimpse Into A Simulated Moon Base On Earth

Chitanis - Jul 19, 2019

This dome on top of a large volcano in Hawaii is a simulated habitat that prepares astronauts for their missions on the moon.

You are seeing HI-SEAS, which stands for Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation. This small white dome settles atop a large volcano named Mauna Loa, here on Hawaii’s Big Island. The replicated environment is designed to help would-be astronauts prepare for life on Mars or the Moon.

HI-SEAS-in-the-middle-of-barren-land-1 — HI-SEAS in the middle of barren land

This dome was set up in 2013, having a diameter of 11 meters. The living area covers a total of 111.5 square meters, with a maximum capacity of six adults.

A-close-up-shot-of-the-dome-2 — A close-up shot of the dome

The location is uninhabited, with few plants and plenty of lava rock insight.

The-landscape-is-a-replicate-environment-of-the-red-planet-3 — The landscape is a replicate environment of the red planet

This door will lead you inside the airlock, and then into the habitat.

Getting-closer-to-the-airlock-4 — Getting closer to the airlock

Inside, you’ll see the airlock looking like this. On your left, there is a traditional spacesuit model used in previous exploration missions.

First-look-into-the-simulated-dome-5 — First, look into the simulated dome

At the end of the staircase is a line of sleeping chambers and a single bathroom on your far left.

Each-member-of-the-crews-has-their-own-chamber-to-rest-6 — Each member of the crews has their own chamber to rest

Within a limited space, the furniture includes a single bed, a desk, a small lamp, and some hanging hooks.

Everything-is-minimalist-neat-and-clean-7 — Everything is minimalist, neat and clean

Walking down to the ground floor and towards the entrance.

Stepping-down-the-stairs-to-the-ground-floor-8 — Stepping down the stairs to the ground floor

At these workstations, the crews can make records of experiments or communicate with the outer world. To imitate the communication gap between Earth and Mars or the Moon, messages are often delayed for between seconds and 20 minutes.

Fully-equipped-working-stations-for-the-astronauts-9 — Fully-equipped working stations for the astronauts

Inside this dome, astronauts have themselves a TV for recreation and gym equipment for exercise. There’s light coming through a small window nearby where they can look outside.

A-communal-area-for-six-astronauts-10 — A communal area for six astronauts

There is an iPad to give crews the full view of every part of the dome for any necessary inspection.

An-iPad-acting-as-a-control-panel-of-the-habitat-11 — An iPad acting as a control panel of the habitat

A spacious bathroom downstairs, and indeed one of the most vital rooms. It is fully equipped with a shower, two toilets (both composting and urinal one).

A-larger-bathroom-on-the-ground-floor-11 — A larger bathroom on the ground floor

Here, food and water have already been divided up. The crews only have 8 minutes each to shower every week. The note and stopwatch on the wall are to keep track of their shower time.

The-astronauts-have-to-shower-extremely-quickly-to-save-water-12 — The astronauts have to shower extremely quickly, to save water

The solar panels installed outside generate energy to charge these batteries ready for use.

The-source-of-energy-for-the-dome-13 — The source of energy for the dome

Anything food-related can be found here, only that you get freeze-dried meals (from veggies such as peas, carrots, and pineapples to meat).

The-dome’s-well-equipped-kitchen-is-ready-to-feed-the-crews-14 — The dome’s well-equipped kitchen is ready to feed the crews

Everything on this shelf is rehydrated. It might be bland, but you can always turn to various types of spices to add more flavor.

Rehydrated-food-is-stored-in-cans-16 — Rehydrated food is stored in cans

This workroom stores all essential equipment for astronauts to go on EVA, and other extravehicular activities.

The-crews’-helmets-and-backpacks-17 — The crews’ helmets and backpacks

These modified suits are actually not what the crews would wear while exploring Mars or the Moon. Still, they give the feeling of getting ready for space missions.