Mars Food Scientists End 4-Month Mock Space Mission in Hawaii

Six scientists emerged from a space habitat on Hawaii's Big Island Tuesday, ending a four-month simulated mission designed to study how best to feed astronauts during the long trip to Mars.

The mission, known as Hawaii Space Exploration Analog & Simulation (or HI-SEAS for short), began in mid-April and wrapped up Tuesday morning, when the six explorers stepped onto a lava field about 8,000 feet (2,440 meters) above sea level on the northern slope of Mauna Loa.

Mission Commander Angelo Vermeulen tweeted to announce the mission's termination: Read more...