Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology

The Hawaiʻi Institute of Geophysics and Planetology (HIGP) solves fundamental problems in Earth and Planetary Science by the invention, development, and application of state-of-the-art instrumentation, exploration, measurement, and data analysis technologies and techniques. Programs embrace research and education in small satellite (and CubeSat) technologies (including payload, spacecraft, and mission design, fabrication, test, and launch) for exploration of the Earth and planets; in-situ analysis of extra-terrestrial materials from comets, asteroids, meteorites and planetary sample return to study the evolution of the Solar System; remote spectroscopic measurements of the surface and atmospheres of the planets and moons of our Solar System, including Mercury, Venus, the Moon, Mars, and Titan; invention and fabrication of hyperspectral imagers, RAMAN/LIBS spectrometers, and other instruments to make those measurements; materials science and mineral physics for characterizing the properties of materials under extreme conditions; geological and geophysical processes of importance to the State of Hawaiʻi, including seismic, volcanic, and tsunami hazards, as well as programs related to the water and energy security of Hawaiʻi (the Hawaii Groundwater and Geothermal Resources Center). HIGP maintains state-of-the-art facilities and instrumentation to support this work, including the Hawaiʻi Space Flight Laboratory (a collaborative venture with the College of Engineering), the W.M. Keck Cosmochemistry Laboratory, the Advanced Electron Microscopy Center, and the InfraSound Laboratory.

HIGP faculty contribute to undergraduate and graduate teaching on campus, and HIGP offers an undergraduate certificate in “Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology,” which provides science and engineering majors with the skills required to design satellite missions to explore our Solar System.

HIGP includes the Hawaiʻi NASA Space Grant Consortium, which provides a variety of education and fellowship programs at K12, undergraduate, graduate and professional levels to support workforce development in Hawaiʻi and outreach to the local community. These events reach over 20,000 students, parents, and teachers each year.

Programs

Undergraduate Certificate

Earth and Planetary Exploration Technology, Certificate

Minor