The 118-day mission is completed. We are one step closer to Mars related ambitions.
The NASA-funded mission, known as Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation (HI-SEAS), was completed on Tuesday morning, commanded by Angelo Vermeulen. It aimed to figure out effective ways to feed astronauts during their journey to Mars.
Six scientists conducted the simulated mission led by both Cornell University and the University of Hawaii on a lava field on the northern slope of Mauna Loa in Hawaii. They recorded details such as their moods, body mass and health status.
Vermeulen told Astrobiology Magazine’s Leslie Mullen that not only is spices, herbs and hot sauce important for future missions but also favorites such as Nutella and peanut butter. He also said ingredients rich in fiber is essential.
“The problem with shelf-stable ingredients is that they’re usually highly processed and henc lacking fiber,” Vermeulen said. “We enjoy wheat bread, rye crackers, nuts and dried fruits, for example.”
More conclusions will come later on from researchers after reading the thoroughly recorded journals.
While it is important to study the best way to maintain good physical health, HI-SEAS was also designed to learn effective ways to keep astronauts psychological and emotional health in tact as well.
All these elements are perhaps crucial to a successful end result. Furthermore, a diverse choice of foods is just as crucial.
“When we look at the NASA diet that has a lot of delicious foods but even the variety in the NASA instant foods diet will pall over time,” Cornell Associate Professor Jean Hunter said, “so we need a way to create variety in the diet over the long term.”
According to NASA officials, the agency’s ultimate main goal is to send astronauts to Mars by the mid-2030s.
“We have landed. #hiseas Mission 1 is officially over mission,” Vermeulen tweeted Tuesday.