SCIENTISTS DISCUSS FUTURE OF SPACE EXPLORATION IN HAWAI`I

November 8 - At the inaugural conference for the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) in Hilo, Lt. Governor Aiona expressed support of a collaborative, international approach to space exploration.

"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.

The event featured discussions of upcoming plans and development opportunities for PISCES.

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.

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.

PISCES teams have received $640,000 from two NASA federal grants in the Innovative Partnership Program to conduct lunar analog simulations in Hawai`i. Learn more here.

"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.