PISCES - Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

A project of the Japan-U.S. Science, Technology and Space Applications Program
Hawaii State Department of Business, and Economic Development and Tourism
University of Hawaii at Hilo Department of Physics and Astronomy

Pacific International Space Center for
Exploration Systems (PISCES)

PISCES is an international research and education center dedicated to the development of new technologies needed to sustain life on the Moon and beyond.  It was created in March 2007 as an official center at the University of Hawai`i at Hilo and was funded by the Hawai`i State Legislature in June 2007.  The center is being built on partnerships between industry, academia and the governments of space-faring nations around the world, but particularly those on the Pacific Rim, which is geographically centered in Hawai`i.  PISCES was conceived by the Japan-U.S. Science, Technology & Space Applications Program (JUSTSAP) under the auspices of the Hawai’i State Department of Business, Economic Development & Tourism (DBEDT). 

PISCES will feature a simulated lunar outpost on the Big Island of Hawai’i, where research will be conducted, new technologies will be developed, students will be educated, astronauts will be trained and the public will be invited to experience first-hand what it will be like to live and work on the Moon and, eventually, on Mars.

These pages describe the mission, accomplishments, design competitions and current projects of PISCES.  We invite you to browse them and send us comments or questions at pisces@hawaii.edu.  Thank you for visiting us.

Announcements

PISCES Meeting rescheduled to February 10-12, 2010. Watch
this page for details.

PISCES ANNOUNCES WINNER
OF THE
2009 PISCES STUDENT DESIGN COMPETITION

In its third year, the PISCES Student Design Competition went truly international, with six University teams from the United States joined by a team from South Africa. All submissions continued the tradition of excellent work performed by student design teams on their choice of themes related to human survival on extra-terrestrial bodies.

This year’s winning team, from the University of Wisconsin, Madison, consisted of students Mai Lee Chang, Miguel Gallego-Geisen, Travis Marks, Pete Penegor and Miao Zhang, under the direction of faculty Advisor Dr. Frederick Elder.

Wisconsin’s submission, entitled “Major Tom: Lunar Cargo Transport,” can be viewed by clicking on the title above.

Dr. Frank Schowengerdt, PISCES Director, said, “This year’s competition included some excellent submissions. The Selection Committee had a difficult decision t make but it is clear that the team from the University of Wisconsin, Madison did an outstanding job. We look forward to meeting them when they come to Hawai’i.”

More Announcements...