Lunar Analog Testing in Hawai'i: An Example of International Collaboration

The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) of the University of Hawai'i at Hilo was founded in 2007 to pursue research, education and analog testing of new technologies designed to sustain life on the Moon and beyond. PISCES operates a test site on the lower slopes of Mauna Kea on the Big Island of Hawaia'i. In November, 2008, scientists from the United States (KSC, JSC, JPL, Lockheed-Martin, Carnegie-Mellon University), Canada (NORCAT, Canadian Space Agency [CSA]), Germany (DLR) and Switzerland (Michelin) gathered for an International Lunar Analog Test in Hawai'i. In 2010, these groups will be joined by others, including the European Space Agency, in a second series of international tests. Tests include in situ resource utilization (ISRU) production of water, oxygen and other volatiles, and robotics as well as studies of the process of analog test operations and management and base design. Fuel cell integration, space medicine techniques, lunar mining and numerous other experiments will be conducted in an environment which has already proven itself as a lunar analog site. The lunar analog tests in Hawai'i are characterized by a high degree of scientific integration and international collaboration. Robots from several agencies will be transporting devices constructed by other agencies to conduct site-preparation studies, regolith transport, and related activities. Between fifty and seventy scientists from around the world will be joined by undergraduate students, graduate students, scientists and operations workers. All personnel from the participating countries work side by side. PISCES will also coordinate a public outreach and education program which serves the dual purpose of (1) educating the public in current efforts to create a sustainable human presence on the Moon and (2) generating local support for lunar analog testing. We will describe briefly the tests which are conducted on the Hawai'i site and the ways in which groups of scientists and engineers from around the world come together in common endeavor.