Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES)

#IPRAAC2025 continues! Yesterday, our Research Director Christian Andersen shared insights on Native Hawaiian perspectives related to In-Situ Resource Utilization — exploring how traditional values of care for ʻāina (land) and the deep knowledge of Polynesian wayfinders reflect sustainable approaches to resource use and exploration. We’re honored to help share these perspectives and honor Hawaiʻi’s legacy of exploration, stewardship, and connection to place. ✨

The Indo-Pacific Robotics, Autonomy, AI & Cyber (IPRAAC) Conference is off to a strong start! Day 1: Our Avionics Engineer Amber I. joined a panel of experts to explore how satellite data can benefit and transform industries on Earth. We're excited to be connecting with fellow innovators, researchers, and industry leaders to grow our research and STEM outreach initiatives. #IPRAAC2025

We had an amazing start to #Robopalooza2025 yesterday with the outstanding team from Edith Cowan University! Our director, Christian, shared insights on Hawaiʻi’s growing role in aerospace, while Ashley and Amber led a Native Hawaiian cultural activity for participants and keiki. Today, Helelani is prepped and ready to shine in the IEEE Telepresence Challenge, where 13 international teams will compete remotely for the top prize. Let’s go, Helelani! 🤖

Aloha from Sydney! 🇦🇺 ✈️ 🤙 We’ve touched down in Australia and are making our way west to Perth for Robopalooza 2025 and the Indo-Pacific Robotics, Autonomy, AI & Cyber Conference (IPRAAC) next week. Our planetary rover Helelani is rolling with us to support IEEE’s Telepresence Challenge and our team will be giving talks and connecting with robotics and AI professionals from around the world. We're ready! 🚀

NEWS: We’re teaming up with Maui aerospace company Black Sand Solutions to build ATHENA—an intelligent AI robot assistant for future space missions. 🤖With NASA funding, Black Sand will lead ATHENA’s development while we help test its mobility and navigation skills in a simulated spacecraft environment. ATHENA will integrate with NASA's existing space robots including Astrobee, Robonaut 2, and Valkyrie. We’re excited to be part of this innovative project! 🚀 ✨ https://lnkd.in/givBWHWp

Big news! Our ISRU research for sustainable space exploration is now being showcased at the Smithsonian’s National Air and Space Museum in Washington, D.C. The 'Futures in Space' exhibit features several sintered basalt launchpad tiles and interlocking bricks we donated that are made with 100% Hawaiian basalt. We’re excited to see research from the Big Island contributing to global conversations about the future of space! https://lnkd.in/g3fTpf-K

We’re proud to support the first-ever Hawaiʻi International Science Experience! This student-led STEM event brings together youth from Japan, New York, and the Big Island to exchange cultures and explore Hawaiʻi’s unique living laboratory. Today’s visit to UH Hilo featured sessions on planetary science and space resources with Dean Simon Kattenhorn and PISCES Director Christian Andersen. A great start to an inspiring week of science, culture, and connection!

🌍 This #EarthDay, we're reminded that our planet is a rare gem in the vastness of space — fragile, interconnected, and shared by all. Our research explores sustainable ways to live and build using local materials, here on Earth and beyond. Even as we look to the stars, Earth remains our most precious frontier. 💚

We're excited to be hosting our 8th annual STARS program this summer! STARS is an exciting summer educational program to encourage and inspire young women to pursue STEM studies and careers. We engage students with hands-on workshops, presentations, behind-the-scenes tours, group activities, and more. Incoming freshmen through recently graduated seniors are eligible. Learn more and apply at: https://bit.ly/hi-stars. #WomenInSTEM #STEMLearning

We’re connecting with space professionals from around the globe this week at the 40th annual Space Symposium in Colorado Springs! It’s an impressive gathering of the space community to talk story, forge partnerships, and drive innovation. Come see us in the exhibit hall to share ideas and learn about Hawaiʻi’s unique role in the future of aerospace. ✨ #SpaceSymposium #SpaceFoundation #40Space