A Hilo-based aerospace agency is teaming up with Honeybee Robotics to create building blocks made of Hawaii basalt.
A Hilo-based aerospace agency is teaming up with Honeybee Robotics to create building blocks made of Hawaii basalt.
The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems and the Brooklyn-based company are the co-recipients of a $118,690 NASA small business technology transfer grant.
They will use the funds to develop in situ resource utilization technology that could be used on Mars or additional trips to the moon, which both have similar basalt to Hawaii.
In a press release, PISCES Program Manager Rodrigo Romo said Honeybee was a “key partner” in the group’s robotically built launch and landing pad constructed with basalt materials.
“This grant award will take the process a step further, allowing us to optimize the building block design and construction materials to allow for both vertical and horizontal construction applications that can be used both on Earth and on other celestial bodies for space settlement,” Romo said.
PISCES is part of the state Department of Business, Economic Development and Tourism.