HILO, Hawaii — Reporters are invited to field tests of a NASA prototype rover that demonstrates how explorers might prospect for resources for survival while on other planetary bodies. The demonstrations will take place Thursday, July 19, starting at 9 a.m. HST, outside of Hilo, Hawaii.
The Regolith and Environment Science and Oxygen and Lunar Volatile Extraction, or RESOLVE, consists of a lunar rover and drill provided by the Canadian Space Agency to support a NASA payload that is designed to prospect for water, ice and other lunar resources. RESOLVE also will demonstrate how future explorers can take advantage of resources at potential landing sites.
Journalists will be able to observe and photograph the tests as well as interview NASA and Canadian Space Agency engineers involved in the systems’ development.
Reporters should contact Amber Philman at 321-431-4970 (amber.n.philman@nasa.gov) by Tuesday, July 17, to attend. Access to the test site requires an escort and a letter of assignment on company letterhead for credentials.
The Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems, or PISCES, at the University of Hawaii, Hilo, also hosts the collaborative mission.
NASA’s In Situ Resource Utilization project develops methods for explorers to take advantage of resources at potential landing sites.
For more information about NASA’s exploration plans, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/exploration For more information about PISCES, visit: http://pisces.uhh.hawaii.edu
