Update: ISRU mission simulations on Hawai'i 2012

The Canadian Space Agency test platform Artemis, Jr. is fitted with NASA's RESOLVE instrument, Day 3 of field testing on Mauna Kea, Hawai'i, 2012 [CSA].

NASA has just completed a another annual field test on the Big Island of Hawai'i to evaluate new exploration techniques for the surface of the Moon. These analog missions, are performed at remote locations on Earth to prepare for robotic and human missions to the Moon and Mars.

The In-Situ Resource Utilization (ISRU) analog mission is a collaboration of NASA partners, primarily the Canadian Space Agency (CSA), with help from the Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES).

The ISRU analog mission will demonstrate techniques to prospect for lunar ice. The testing site (on Mauna Kea) features lava-covered mountain soil similar to the ancient volcanic plains on the moon. The two main tests under way are the Regolith and Environment Science and Oxygen and Lunar Volatile Extraction (RESOLVE) and the Moon Mars Analog Mission Activities (MMAMA).

Review the NASA press release, HERE.

Contributing:
Roving for resources on an Analog Moon, astronaut for hire (July 23, 2012)
NASA conducts mission simulations in Hawai'i AmericaSpace (July 30, 2012)

Related Posts:
Lunar robotic tests on the 'Big Island' (September 2, 2008)
Carnegie Mellon tests Scarab on Mauna Kea (October 15, 2008)
Turning Lunar Dust into Gold (January 8, 2009)
Spotlight on Carnegie-Mellon's Scarab (April 10, 2009)
Mauna Kea hosts space tests (February 7, 2010)
Field testing of In-Situ Resource Utilization (July 1, 2010)
ISRU: NASA KSC prototype rover photo op (June 11, 2012)
KSC shows off Resolve, ISRU and lunar analog study platform (June 13, 2012)
A Resolve to mine the Moon (July 15, 2012)