Kyla Edison from The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) spoke to our club this morning.  PISCES is a state-funded aerospace agency based in Hilo.  Hawaii island is ideal for their work due to the similarity of our volcanic terrain to other planets we have yet to visit.

 

Kyla’s expertise is in materials science where she is focused on the use of basalt waste byproducts from existing quarries on Hawaii Island as potential value-added building materials.  Basalt found on Hawaii island has similar composition to rocks found on other planets.  Kyla’s research could result in the utilization of locally existing basalt (on Mars for example) as an input material that would be locally converted into building materials which would enable habitation.   Transporting building materials to other planets is not likely going to be practical, so the only solution would be using what is on hand. 

 

Judging from the interest by our members and the mechanical properties of sintered basalt, Kyla’s work seems to have high potential for future commercial applications on Earth.  PISCES has kept their methods proprietary for this reason, the potential monetization of this should benefit the people of Hawaii.

 

In addition to their efforts to enable exploration and habitation of other planets, PISCES participates in some exciting local outreach programs which promote STEM careers, creates internship opportunities and encourages young women from Hawaii’s high schools to pursue careers in science.  Women have been historically underrepresented in the engineering and science fields while Hawaii itself has not created enough jobs in this area causing many talented people to leave.  The work PISCES does in our community is a step in the right direction.

 

For more information on PISCES, please visit http://pacificspacecenter.com/about/projects/