The Helelani analog rover inside its new home, “Moku” or Mobile Operations Kommand Unit.
The PISCES planetary analog rover Helelani got an upgrade to its communication systems last month with the help of an undergrad student, Blue Planet Foundation, Digital Evolution and NELHA. Remote control of the rover will now be integrated with a new communications link at a planetary analog site in the Hawaiʻi Ocean Science and Technology Park at NELHA.
Helelani also has a new sidekick—a trailer that doubles as a command center for site tests. MOKU, or Mobile Operations Kommand Unit, enables the operation of Helelani at various testing sites on location or remotely. The system supports the Hawaiʻi Analog for Lunar Operations (HALO) program launched by PISCES this month.
The upgrades were completed in collaboration with Joel Paye, an intern and University of Hawaiʻi at Hilo student, Paul Ponthieux of Blue Planet Foundation, Andrew Cox of Digital Evolution, and Keith Olson of NELHA.