For Immediate Release: November 8, 2007
DBEDT News Release 07-29

HONOLULU—Two projects for the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration System (PISCES) teams have received $640,000 from two NASA federal grants in the Innovative Partnership Program to conduct lunar analog simulations in Hawai‘i. The projects support future robotic and human missions to the moon and Mars.

The Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism (DBEDT) is a partner in developing PISCES, which received $400,000 in funding through Act 149, which Governor Linda Lingle signed into law earlier this year.

"These federal grants will support our Administration's Hawai‘i Innovation Initiative and our efforts to develop opportunities in aerospace-related fields that capitalize on Hawai‘i's science and technology resources and capabilities," said DBEDT Director Theodore E. Liu. "PISCES will be the entity in Hawai‘i that coordinates and manages the NASA lunar field demonstrations on the Big Island."

Lt. Governor James R. "Duke" Aiona, Jr. delivered the keynote address at the PISCES inaugural conference in Hilo today, which was sponsored in part by DBEDT. The event featured discussions of upcoming plans and development opportunities for PISCES.

"The most productive pathway to future robotic and human missions to the moon and Mars is best forged through multinational partnerships in government, industry and education," said Lt. Governor Aiona. "With PISCES, Hawai‘i is playing a leading role in sharing human, environmental and technological resources with the international community to help us strengthen and diversify research and development programs that will advance the international aerospace industry."

PISCES is a collaborative project of the Japan-U.S. Science, Technology & Space Applications Program (JUSTSAP), the University of Hawai‘i at Hilo and DBEDT.

The volcanic soils and lunar-like terrain found in Hawai‘i make the islands an ideal location to support international programs for testing and evaluating innovative technologies to support future robotic and manned exploration of the Moon and Mars, as well as for training scientists, engineers and future astronauts for future space missions.

"Hawai‘i's diverse resources and strategic Pacific location afford tremendous opportunities for international collaboration in science and technology throughout the Asia-Pacific region," said Lt. Governor Aiona. "These NASA federal grants will support our efforts."

In March, the State of Hawai‘i signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) on a variety of programs in support of the Vision for Space Exploration, NASA's plan to return humans to the moon and later travel to Mars. Under the MOU, the NASA Ames Research Center and the State of Hawai‘i will explore future collaborations in commercial space initiatives and innovative programs supporting research, education and workforce development in aerospace fields.

For more information, contact:
Dave Young
Communications
Phone: (808) 587-1212
Email: dyoung@dbedt.hawaii.gov