County grant boosts lunar project

A student-built lunar experiment is getting a $25,000 boost from Hawaii County.

Led by the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, the project involves outfitting lunar landers with an electrodynamic dust shield.

PISCES is working with NASA to get the device on the lunar surface in early 2017.

About 70 students from Kealakehe High School and Honolulu’s Iolani School are involved.

The county Department of Research and Development provided the grant as part of its high-tech jobs initiative.

PISCES received a separate $10,000 grant for the project from Hawaii Community Foundation’s THINK Fund, according to the Hilo-based aerospace agency.