Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES)

What Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) does

PISCES (Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems) is an aerospace research and education program housed at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's College of Natural and Health Sciences, founded in 2007 and operating as a Hawaii state-government-affiliated non-profit with 101–250 staff. It conducts applied research in space resource technologies — most notably In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) using Hawai'i basalt, including a proprietary sintering process with an inorganic, nontoxic binding agent that reduces required sintering temperature by more than 20%, and basalt-based launch/landing pad tiles validated through rocket-fire testing by NASA Swamp Works and Masten Space Systems. The program also operates planetary robotics assets, including the Helelani rover and the HALO Program (Hawaii Analogs for Lunar Operations) hosted at NELHA's HOST Park, which provides remote and on-site access to lunar/Mars analog environments for testing instruments and telerobotics payloads.

Its product portfolio spans research assets (Helelani rover, MOKU mobile command unit, HALO analog access, sintered basalt tiles, basalt binder composites, ISRU 3D printing collaborations), and education/outreach programs (STARS for young women, internship programs in materials science and robotics, Onizuka Science Day, Journey Through The Universe, WiSE Talks, CubeSat development via HSFL). PISCES does not sell commercial products; it is funded primarily through government and research grants from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, and the Department of Defense, supplemented by institutional support from the University of Hawai'i system and partnerships with organizations such as NASA JPL, Honeybee Robotics, RedWorks, and Edith Cowan University. Customers are essentially government research agencies (NASA, DoD, Air Force) and UH-affiliated students, with no disclosed commercial pricing model.

Name

Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES)

Legal name

Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems

Website

https://pacificspacecenter.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2007

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

PISCES is a University of Hawai'i at Hilo aerospace research and education program developing space resource technologies — including basalt-based ISRU materials, planetary rovers, and lunar/Mars analog testing — funded primarily through NASA, DoD, and U.S. Air Force grants.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aerospace Research and STEM Education Services

NAICS

Space Research and Technology (92711), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)

akta.pro primary industry

Space & Astronomy Programs (EDAMABAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Geotechnical Design, Engineering & Consulting (Analysis, Design, Peer Review) (IMAFAOAK), Science & STEM Instruction (School-Delivered) (EDAJAFAH)

Keywords

• Aerospace research services
• Space resource technologies
• Planetary analog testing
• STEM aerospace education
• In-situ resource utilization

Headquarters

HQ city

Hilo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Grant Funding: PISCES operates primarily through government and research grants from agencies including NASA, U.S. Air Force, and Department of Defense to fund space resource research and development projects.
2. University Support: Institutional funding and support from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo's College of Natural and Health Sciences.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

PISCES is an aerospace research and education program that develops space resource technologies, including sintered basalt construction materials and in-situ resource utilization (ISRU) processes for lunar and Martian applications, alongside planetary robotics and analog environment testing. It provides hands-on STEM education programs, internships, and outreach opportunities, and offers testing access to Hawai'i's volcanic terrain as analog environments mirroring the Moon and Mars. The organization is funded primarily through government grants from NASA, U.S. Air Force, and Department of Defense, with institutional support from the University of Hawai'i at Hilo.

Product overview

PISCES is an aerospace research and education program at the University of Hawai'i at Hilo that operates as a collection of research initiatives and educational programs rather than a unified commercial product. Its core offerings include the Helelani planetary analog rover for telerobotics testing, the HALO Program providing remote access to lunar/Mars analog environments, and sintered basalt tile technology for ISRU construction applications. Educational products include the STARS Program for young women, internship opportunities in robotics and materials science, and community outreach events like Astronaut Ellison Onizuka Science Day and Journey Through The Universe. The organization also collaborates on CubeSat development and AI-powered robotics through partnerships with entities like Black Sand Solutions.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Helelani Planetary Rover
• HALO Program (Hawaii Analogs for Lunar Operations)
• Sintered Basalt Tiles
• Basalt Binder Composite Materials
• ISRU 3D Printing Systems
• Telerobotics Operations
• MOKU (Mobile Operations Kommand Unit)
• CubeSat Development Support
• STARS Program
• Internship Programs

Quantifiable outcome

• 20%+ reduction in sintering temperature for basalt tiles
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Edith Cowan University (ECU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 October 2025PISCES participated in Robopalooza 2025 and IPRAAC Conference at ECU's School of Engineering in Perth, Australia. ECU invited PISCES for week-long outreach and networking mission featuring cultural exchange and robotics collaboration.
• Black Sand SolutionscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 August 2025PISCES partnered with Maui-based Black Sand Solutions to create an AI-powered space robot assistant. The AI model will integrate with NASA's existing robots including Valkyrie, an advanced humanoid robot designed to support space missions.
• NASA Jet Propulsion LaboratorycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration with NASA JPL on microgravity flight campaigns demonstrating spacecraft docking mechanisms using flux-pinned interface technology developed with Cornell University.
• NASA Swamp WorkscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA Swamp Works at Kennedy Space Center requested basalt tiles for testing as launch and landing pad materials. Tests conducted at Masten Space Systems in Mojave, California.
• Masten Space SystemsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerConducted rocket fire testing of PISCES basalt tiles at their Mojave, California facility, blasting tiles with liquid oxygen and liquid methane rocket bursts.
• RedWorks Construction TechnologiescoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with RedWorks for ISRU 3D printing development. RedWorks tests regolith 3D printing systems originally intended for Moon and Mars habitats using PISCES research and advice on basalt materials.
• NASAcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerNASA selected UH Mānoa scientists (affiliated with PISCES ecosystem) to lead development of Lunar Terrain Vehicle instrument for prospecting hidden ice beneath lunar surface.
• Hawai'i Space Grant Consortium (HSGC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent organization alongside HSFL that promotes aerospace economy in Hawai'i and trains home-grown aerospace workforce through undergraduate internships.
• Hawai'i Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerCreated in 2007 to design, build, test, launch and operate small satellites from Hawaiian Islands. Partner with PISCES on CubeSat satellite kit programs and student opportunities.
• Natural Energy Laboratory of Hawai'i Authority (NELHA)coreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerHALO program operates at NELHA's HOST Park, providing planetary analog site for lunar/Mars testing. NELHA provides infrastructure and support for rover communications upgrades.
• IEEE (International Robotics Events)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIEEE Telepresence Challenge competition using PISCES Helelani rover and backup Chironix rover for remote lunar-like obstacle course competition with $5,000 prize.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• RedWorks Construction Technologies: ISRU 3D printing startup co-developing regolith additive manufacturing with PISCES. Comparable core technology focus on lunar/Mars habitat construction using local materials.
• Mars Desert Research Station (MDRS): Operated by the Mars Society, MDRS is a planetary analog research station in Utah running crewed simulations of Mars missions. Directly comparable to PISCES's HALO program as an analog testing site serving researchers and international crews.
• Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory (HSFL): Sister organization within the UH system that builds and launches small satellites. Directly comparable as a UH-anchored aerospace research entity partnering with PISCES on CubeSats and STEM talent.
• Honeybee Robotics: Developer of planetary robotics including robotic arms used in PISCES's ACME launchpad construction. Directly comparable as a robotics supplier and integration partner for lunar surface operations.
• Colorado School of Mines — Space Resources program: Academic program focused on space resource extraction, ISRU, and lunar/Mars analog research. Comparable to PISCES as a university-anchored ISRU research hub producing peer-reviewed work and trained graduates.
• NASA Swamp Works: NASA Kennedy Space Center's in-situ resource utilization and planetary surface technology lab. Direct collaborator with PISCES on basalt tile testing and ACME; comparable mission set in ISRU and lunar construction.
• Masten Space Systems: Propulsion and lunar lander developer that hosted rocket-fire testing of PISCES basalt tiles. Comparable as a Mojave-based small space company doing flight-relevant material validation.

Emerging players

• Black Sand Solutions: Maui-based AI/robotics startup co-developing NASA's Valkyrie humanoid assistant with PISCES. Comparable as an emerging space-AI partner with limited public footprint.
• ICON (construction 3D printing): Construction 3D printing company with a NASA contract for lunar surface printing systems. Comparable in developing additive manufacturing for space habitats; broader commercial 3D printing portfolio.

Broad incumbents

• Astrobotic Technology: Lunar lander and payload provider pursuing ISRU payload delivery. Comparable in lunar surface mission participation but operates as a commercial prime rather than a research/education program.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/PISCES_Hawaii
• Facebookfacebook.com/PISCES.UH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/pacific-international-space-center-for-exploration-systems
• Instagraminstagram.com/pisces.uh

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES)