The Hawaiian Islands: Stepping Stones to the Stars!
- Paper number
IAC-08.B3.5.5
- Author
Mr. Jim Crisafulli, State of Hawaii, United States
- Year
2008
- Abstract
Hawaii’s diverse natural resources, unique geographic terrain, advanced technological infrastructure, resident scientific and engineering expertise, and strategic mid-Pacific location make the archipelago an ideal location to develop, grow and sustain a wide variety of aerospace-related activities. For nearly half a century, the State has both contributed to and benefited from the global space enterprise, beginning with astronaut training programs and the development of world-class observatories in the 1960’s. Over the past five decades, the University of Hawaii, the U.S. military, and numerous companies statewide have engaged in a broad range of nationally-funded programs pioneering both basic and applied R&D in astronomy and astrophysics, planetary geosciences, advanced satellite communications, space-based remote sensing, and environmental monitoring. Today, the journey continues as Hawaii pioneers ground-breaking astronomical research at the Mauna Kea and Haleakala Observatories, supports the nation’s largest space surveillance site on Maui, and sustains the world’s largest multi-environment testing and evaluation facility at the Pacific Missile Range Facility on Kauai. But Hawaii’s future potential in space is even more compelling, and this paper will explore some of the highly promising scientific, educational and commercial programs currently being developed at the University of Hawaii and among local companies with support from the Hawaii State Administration and Legislature, including: (1) advanced sensor and adaptive optics technologies for atmospheric/oceanic monitoring, modeling and forecasting, terrestrial/coastal mapping, and disaster management/mitigation; (2) new products and services to support land and coastal resource assessment; (3) innovative optical communications and laser-based energy systems; (4) advanced aviation monitoring and control systems; (5) commercial space launch operations engaging spaceplanes, sea-based platforms and airborne configurations to support space-based research, smallsat deployments and space tourism; (6) public-private partnerships across the Asia-Pacific region for the development and delivery of integrated systems for satellite communications, orbital tracking, and space reconnaissance; and (7) multinational programs to design, develop, and test new technologies, systems and protocols to support future robotic and human missions to the Moon, Mars and beyond.
- Abstract document
- Manuscript document
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