PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 35 (December 16, 2007) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Nic Richmond Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matt Balme Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [Special NASA Message] From James Green: Discovery and Scout Mission Capabilities Expansion Program 2. [NASA] to Release Cooperative Agreement Notice for Membership in the NASA Astrobiology Institute 3. [NASA] Final Text and Due Dates for Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets 4. [NASA] Propose to Become a Member of the Venus Science and Technology Definition Team 5. The Science of Solar System Ices (ScSSI): A Cross-Disciplinary Workshop 6. Podcasts of Talks by Noted Astronomers Available on ASP Site 7. 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 [SPECIAL NASA MESSAGE] FROM JAMES GREEN: DISCOVERY AND SCOUT MISSION CAPABILITIES EXPANSION PROGRAM Recall that in the September 23rd PEN I had alerted everyone of a new special ROSES 2007 opportunity: Discovery and Scout Mission Capabilities Expansion (DSMCE). The DSMCE call solicited mission concept proposals for low cost planetary missions that require an Advanced Stirling Radioisotope Generator (ASRG) power system that is currently under development by NASA. That request for proposals ended on November 30th. I wanted to take this opportunity to let you know the response was fantastic! We received about 40 proposals, composed roughly of 1/4 outer solar system, 1/4 inner solar system, and 1/2 Mars/Moon. We are working towards getting them evaluated, selected, and awarded as fast as we can. Thanks for your great response. 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] TO RELEASE COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE FOR MEMBERSHIP IN THE NASA ASTROBIOLOGY INSTITUTE NASA intends to release a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN, Cycle-5) soliciting new institutional members to the NASA Astrobiology Institute (NAI). The CAN will be released early in 2008, and proposals will be due approximately 90 days later. NAI CAN Cycle-5 is responsive to the recommendations of the recent NRC study (Assessment of the NASA Astrobiology Institute, 2007, http://www7.nationalacademies.org/ssb/). Proposals will be required to clearly articulate an innovative, interdisciplinary, astrobiology research program, together with plans to advance the full scope of NAI objectives as defined in the Institute's Mission Statement (see NAI website: http://nai.nasa.gov/). NASA anticipates making $4-11M per year available for this selection, leading to 4-8 awards, each of 5 years duration. Participation in this solicitation is open to all categories of organizations, domestic and non-U.S., including industry, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other Government agencies. For further information please contact: Dr. Carl Pilcher, Director, NASA Astrobiology Institute, Mail Stop 247-6, Ames Research Center, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Moffett Field, CA 94035-1000; Phone: 650-604-0022; E-mail: can5@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] FINAL TEXT AND DUE DATES FOR ASTROBIOLOGY SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY FOR EXPLORING PLANETS This amendment announces a proposal opportunity in Appendix C.20 of ROSES-2007 entitled "Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets" (ASTEP). This program element solicits proposals for investigations focused on exploring the Earth's extreme environments in order to develop a sound technical and scientific basis to conduct astrobiological research on other solar system bodies. The ASTEP program is a science-driven exploration program that is expected to result in new science and operational/technological capabilities to enable the next generation of planetary exploration. A unique feature that is central to the ASTEP program is the use of terrestrial (Earth-based; not necessarily nonaquatic) field campaigns to further science and technology and NASA's exploration capabilities. Notices of Intent to propose are due January 18, 2008, and proposals are due March 18, 2008. Table 2 and Table 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA have been updated to reflect this change. On or about December 13, 2007, this Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2007" (NNH07ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH07ZDA001N"). Further information about this program element is available from Dr. John D. Rummel, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-0702; E-mail: John.D.Rummel@nasa.gov. 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] PROPOSE TO BECOME A MEMBER OF THE VENUS SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEFINITION TEAM To the Planetary Science Community: NASA recently announced the formation of a Venus Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT), chaired by Mark Bullock, that will guide a study of Venus Flagship mission architectures. I encourage you to propose to become a member of the STDT. The scientific motivations for future Venus exploration are described in the VEXAG (Venus Exploration and Analysis Group) Goals and Objectives: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ and the required technologies are described in Technologies for Extreme Environment: http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/multimedia/download-detail.cfm?DL_ID=322_ I urge you to apply for membership on the STDT to ensure that the Venus Flagship architectures reflect the scientific goals of the community. Letters of interest are due no later than December 15, 2007 (12:00 pm EST). Please send a letter of interest with abbreviated CV and one page on your expertise and possible contribution to the STDT by email to Adriana Ocampo at NASA HQ (aco@nasa.gov). Ellen Stofan Chair, VEXAG ellen@proxemy.com [Editor Note: The deadline for this application passed yesterday, however if you are still interested, please contact Ellan Stofan at the address above.] 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 THE SCIENCE OF SOLAR SYSTEM ICES (ScSSI): A CROSS-DISCIPLINARY WORKSHOP May 5-8, Oxnard, CA As a response to the growing need for cross-disciplinary dialog and communication in the Planetary Ices science community, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory and the Lunar and Planetary Institute are hosting a workshop entitled: The Science of Solar System Ices (ScSSI): A Cross-Disciplinary Workshop. The role of laboratory research and simulations in advancing our understanding of solar system ices (including satellites, KBOs, comets, and giant planets) is becoming increasingly important. Understanding ice surface radiation processing, particle and radiation penetration depths, surface and subsurface chemistry, morphology, phases, density, conductivity, etc., are only a few examples of the inventory of issues that are being addressed by Earth-based laboratory research. This workshop aims to achieve direct dialog and foster focused collaborations among the observational, modeling, and laboratory research communities. The deadline for abstract submission is Tuesday, February 19, 2008, 5:00 p.m. CST. For further information, see: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/scssi2008 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 PODCASTS OF TALKS BY NOTED ASTRONOMERS AVAILABLE ON ASP SITE Audio recordings of ten public lectures by noted astronomers are now available as free MP3 downloads at the web site of the nonprofit Astronomical Society of the Pacific (ASP): http://www.astrosociety.org/education/podcast/index.html These talks were recorded at Foothill College in the Silicon Valley Astronomy Lecture Series. They are made available through a kind donation to the ASP by a donor with a strong interest in education who wishes to remain anonymous. Each hour-long lecture on some exciting development in our study of the universe is followed by an extensive question and answer period, in which the speaker gives further details and personal glimpses about the topics under discussion. A few talks are also available as video files (instructions can be found on the same page.) [Editor Note: A full list of the available lectures, including abstracts, is available via the link above.] 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html March 4-5, 2008 Go for Lunar Landing: From Terminal Descent to Touchdown Conference http://ser.sese.asu.edu/GO/ Tempe, AZ June 16-20, 2008 Asia Oceania Geosciences Society http://www.asiaoceania.org/aogs2008/ Busan, Korea [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop that you think your colleagues should be aware of, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor at psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** * * 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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