Six new researchers have gathered together on the slopes of Mauna Loa for the next HI-SEAS project entitled SELENE 1.
The mission of SELENE I at HI-SEAS will be an analog Moon mission lasting from Monday, Sept. 7, to Monday, Sept 21, 2020.
Its primary goal will be to collect samples for astrobiology research in collaboration with NASA Goddard. Lava tubes in the habitat’s surroundings will be mapped and explored to assess their potential for use as lunar habitats. Each crewmember will also bring at least one research and outreach project of their own.
The crew members are:
- Commander Michaela Musilova. She is an astrobiologist and marsonaut Director of Hawaii Space Exploration Analog and Simulation. She is an astrobiologist with a focus on extremophiles.
- Vice Commander J.J. Hastings. She is a former mission specialist at the Lunares – Mobile Research Station and commander of the inaugural SENSORIA mission.
- Operations Officer Paul Bakken. He is a certified aquanaut and diver and a small UAS Pilot.
- Crew Engineer Bailey Burns. She is a systems engineer with Paragon Space Development Corporation.
- Bioengineer Elliot Roth. He is the founder of Spira, and has a degree in Biomedical engineering with experience in product design business strategy and synthetic biology.
- Manufacturing Specialist Jessica Snyder. She is an Engineer inventor and explorer.
SELENE I successfully landed this afternoon, Monday, Sept. 7, and began their mission. They had their suits fitted and began to set-up experiment before settling down for their first dinner.
Commander Michaela Musilova and Vice Commander JJ Hasting will lead the 6-person crew over the next two weeks.
Each crew member has their own research project. Roth is studying how to use algae as a food source during human missions to space. Bakken is engineering a new airlock system to protect the doorway of the habitat. Snyder will use 3D printing to benefit bioengineering. Burns tests her cognitive ability under pressure by solving a Rubik’s cube a day.