PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 22 (September 16, 2007) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Matt Balme Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Nic Richmond Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] SARA Service Problem 2. [NASA] Small Explorers (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity 3. [NASA] Cancellation of Living With a Star Space Environment Testbeds Program 4. [NASA] PDS Announces Second MRO Data Release (September 10, 2007) 5. Dawn Mission Requests Observations of Spacecraft 6. Japan Launches its First Lunar Orbiter 7. MARS Journal Open for Submissions 8. New Mars Community Conference Reports 9. Planet Definition 2 Conference and Book Being Organized, May 8-10, 2008 10. IAU Symposium 251: Organic Matter in Space, Hong Kong, China, February 18-22, 2008 11. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions o---------------------------------------------------------------------o 1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1-1 [NASA] SARA SERVICE PROBLEM NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Research and Analysis (R&A) website at: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/research/sara.html the SARA website, solicits comments through a "contact SARA" link on each webpage. The "contact SARA" link page was not working properly during the first week of website operations. All messages sent to NASA through the "contact SARA" link prior to September 12, 2007, were lost and cannot be recovered. The problem with the "contact SARA" link page has now been corrected. If you sent messages through the "contact SARA" link during this period, please send them again. We apologize for the inconvenience. Additional updates in content have been made to the SARA website since it was first released, and a new letter from SARA will be uploaded on September 14, 2007. In order to receive future notices concerning SMD's R&A program, please subscribe to the update notice list through the "contact SARA" page. This NSPIRES mailing list will not be used to distribute R&A updates in the future. For questions or further information about the NASA SMD R&A program or the SARA website, please contact Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis (SARA), Science Mission Directorate, Washington, DC, 20546: Email sara@nasa.gov. [Editor Note: The new SARA letter can be accessed at http://science.hq.nasa.gov/research/sara_letters.html] 2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2-2 [NASA] SMALL EXPLORERS (SMEX) AND MISSIONS OF OPPORTUNITY Released: September 28, 2007 Notice of Intent: November 16, 2007 Proposals Due: January 15, 2008 The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing a NASA Announcement of Opportunity (NNH07ZDA003O), for the Explorer Program: Small Explorers (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity. NASA expects to select up to three SMEX missions to proceed into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. NASA desires to launch the first SMEX mission by late 2011 or 2012; the launch-by date for all SMEX missions is April 30, 2014. One or more Missions of Opportunity, including participation in non-SMD space missions, small complete missions and new science missions using existing spacecraft, may also be selected. The science objectives covered by the AO include those of the SMD heliophysics research program and the astrophysics research program. Refer to the SMD World Wide Web homepage at: http://science.hq.nasa.gov/ for further information about these programs. [Editor Note: For the remainder of this announcement, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com/. For information about a preproposal conference go to http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/smexacq.html. For other program information email Hashima Hasan at smexao@nasa.gov.] 3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3-3 [NASA] CANCELLATION OF LIVING WITH A STAR SPACE ENVIRONMENT TESTBEDS PROGRAM This amendment cancels the program element in Appendix B.6 entitled "Living With a Star Space Environment Testbeds." The Living With a Star (LWS) program has recently announced that NASA will be providing contributions to ESA's Solar Orbiter mission. A Focused Opportunity for the Solar Orbiter mission will be a part of the SMEX AO. See: http://explorers.larc.nasa.gov/smexacq.html At this time, the LWS program can not support new SET investigations in addition to the Solar Orbiter focused opportunity. The LWS program is proceeding with the SET-1 mission and all previously selected SET investigations. However no further SET investigations will be solicited at this time. [Editor Note: For the remainder of this notice, go to http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH07ZDA001N").] 4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4 [NASA] PDS ANNOUNCES SECOND MRO DATA RELEASE (SEPTEMBER 10, 2007) The Planetary Data System announces the second release of data from the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) mission. This release includes data acquired during months 2 and 3 of the Primary Science Phase, December 8, 2006 - February 7, 2007. Data sets from the following experiments are included in this release: CRISM (Compact Reconnaissance Imaging Spectrometer for Mars), HiRISE (High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment), Gravity/Radio Science, MCS (Mars Climate Sounder), CTX (Context Imager), and MARCI (Mars Color Imager). SPICE kernels for all instruments are also available. New data from the Accelerometer and SHARAD (Shallow Radar) will also be released shortly. MRO data are archived at the PDS Geosciences, Imaging, Atmospheres, and NAIF Nodes, and can be accessed from these nodes' web sites and from the main PDS home page: http://pds.nasa.gov. Interested users may sign up to receive email announcements of MRO releases using the Subscription Manager on the PDS home page. The next release will be on December 8, 2007. 5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5 DAWN MISSION REQUESTS OBSERVATIONS OF SPACECRAFT NASA is preparing to launch Dawn between September 26 and October 15 on an ambitious mission to orbit both 4 Vesta and 1 Ceres, the two most massive asteroids. The Dawn project invites all readers with telescope time during the first week or two after launch to try to image the spacecraft. Other spacecraft have been seen at ranges of several million kilometers. See an example at: http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/releases/98/ds1palomar.html. The project believes such views can be quite inspiring to the public. If Dawn launches at its first opportunity, it should be near RA = 6h 20m and dec = 28.5 deg within a day of launch. Launches at later times or on subsequent days may shift this a few degrees. Up-to-date coordinates will be available in JPL's HORIZONS system. Go to: http://ssd.jpl.nasa.gov/horizons.cgi and change the target body to "Dawn". UCLA Professor Christopher T. Russell is the PI for this ninth mission in NASA's Discovery Program. Instruments were contributed by DLR/MPS and ASI/INAF and delivered by LANL. JPL manages the project, and Orbital Sciences Corporation built the spacecraft. More information is available at: http://dawn.jpl.nasa.gov. Please contact ctrussel@igpp.ucla.edu if you have any questions or if you obtain some images of Dawn's early light. 6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6 JAPAN LAUNCHES ITS FIRST LUNAR ORBITER The launch of the Japanese lunar orbiter Kaguya (also known as SELENE) on 13th September marks the latest advance in the international exploration of the moon. For more information see: http://www.jaxa.jp/index_e.html 7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7-7 MARS JOURNAL OPEN FOR SUBMISSIONS The MARS Journal, a new online peer reviewed open access journal, is now open for submission of manuscripts. The MARS Journal will publish scholarly papers in three general categories: Mars Science: Observations, data, theory, models, and reviews of scientific literature Mars Technology: Instruments, spacecraft, missions, tools and techniques,and software Mars Policy: Exploration strategy, economics, planetary protection, history, and commentary Be among the first to publish (for free) in The MARS Journal: http://marsjournal.org 8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8 NEW MARS COMMUNITY CONFERENCE REPORTS During the summer, two major Mars meetings were held, each of which generated short reports. These reports have now been posted on the MEPAG web sites below, where they can now be referenced. Both of these reports are of relevance to our forward planning processes. 2007 Colloquium on Astrobiology and Mars Exploration, Pasadena, July 8, 2007. See: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/workshop/Mars_Colloquium_07-08-07.pdf 7th International Mars Conference, Caltech, July 9-13, 2007. See: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov/workshop/7thMars_Discussion_Notes_D39753.doc Debbie Calderon MEPAG Communications Email: debbie.calderon@jpl.nasa.gov 9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9-9 PLANET DEFINITION 2 CONFERENCE AND BOOK BEING ORGANIZED, MAY 8-10, 2008 Last year, the International Astronomical Union issued a definition for the term 'planet' that remains controversial, as does the process by which it was adopted. Some planetary scientists embrace the IAU definition, while many reject it. Educators are confused about what to teach. A conference is being planned to provide the first open forum to discuss the underpinnings of the IAU perspective and alternative views. This will be a great opportunity to discuss science as a process and what we have learned about planets in over 40 years of solar system exploration and a decade of exoplanet discovery. An accompanying book is planned. Science Meeting: May 8-9, 2008 Educator Workshop: May 10, 2008 Location: Applied Physics Lab, Johns Hopkins University, Maryland Program Chair: Mark Sykes, Planetary Science Institute Local Organizers: Hal Weaver, Louise Proctor, Applied Physics Lab Likely topics: The IAU Planet Definition Historical Views of Planets Ceres Predicting Outer Planets The Sociology and Science of Pluto and Charon Jovian Planets Earth - The Ultimate Planet Other Terrestrial Planets Life Extrasolar Planets A Geophysical Definition for Planet Planetary Nomenclature Please indicate your interest in attending by emailing sykes@psi.edu. Input on topics is welcome. A website is under development. Thank you. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 IAU SYMPOSIUM 251: ORGANIC MATTER IN SPACE, HONG KONG, CHINA, FEBRUARY 18-22, 2008 Recent infrared spectroscopic observations have found evidence of complex carbonaceous compounds with aromatic and aliphatic structures in circumstellar and interstellar media. Laboratory isotopic analysis of meteorites and interplanetary dust collected in the upper atmosphere have revealed the presence of pre-solar grains similar to those formed in evolved stars. These solar system dust particles also contain complex organics, at least some of which show isotopic evidence that they have an interstellar heritage. Spectroscopic studies of comets and asteroids also show spectral signatures of organics. The direct link between star dust and the solar system therefore suggests that the early solar system was chemically enriched by both stellar ejecta and the products of interstellar processing. In this symposium, to be held at the University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong, China, we intend to bring together observational astronomers, laboratory spectroscopists, and solar system scientists to share their expertise in order to come up with new ideas for the solution to the many unsolved mysteries associated with the origin, evolution, and distribution of organic matter in space. Sun Kwok and Scott Sandford. The Second Announcement can be found at http://www.hku.hk/science/iau251 Contact email: iau251@hku.hk 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 7-10, 2007 Pacific International Space Center for Exploration Systems (PISCES) 2007 Conference http://pisces07.com/ Hilo, HI November 13-14, 2007 American Astronautical Society National Conference and 54th Annual Meeting http://astronautical.org/nationalconf_07/register_national07.php League City, TX March 3-8, 2008 38th Saas-Fee Advanced Course: Millimeter Astronomy http://obswww.unige.ch/saas-fee2008 Les Diablerets, Switzerland August 17-September 7, 2008 Characteristics and Habitability of Super Earths http://aspenphys.org/documents/program/summer08.html Aspen, CO *********************************************************************** * * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at * * http://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_subscribe.html * * To unsubscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_unsubscribe.html * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor at psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. 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