PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Number 44 (October 10, 2010) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Susan Benecchi Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Passing of Frank J. Stadermann 2. Passing of Audouin Charles Dollfus 3. [NASA] Reminder: NASA Poll on Planetary Research and Analysis Programs Closes October 11 4. [NASA] Request For Information (RFI) 5. [NASA PDS] Cassini ISS and VIMS Data Release 23 6. International Space Station: The Next Decade Conference 7. [NASA] Announcement for Membership on the WFIRST Mission Science Definition Team 8. Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter Available 9. Call for Proposals from the European Space Agency 10. [NASA] Solicitation for NASA Science Team members for ESA's Euclid Mission 11. Mars As Art 2: Images Needed 12. 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 PASSING OF FRANK J. STADERMANN Frank Stadermann passed away on October 4, 2010, after suffering a cerebral hemorrhage. He was 48 years old. Stadermann was a senior research scientist in physics, member of the Laboratory for Space Sciences, and director of the NanoSIMS and Auger laboratories at Washington University in St. Louis. Stadermann developed techniques for NanoSIMS measurements in TEM sections, which allowed for the first time correlated mineralogical and isotopic studies on a submicrometer scale. This work led to the first direct isotopic measurement of "presolar grains within presolar grains" (200-nanometer TiC crystals embedded in low-density supernova graphite spheres). He also discovered the first presolar corundum and SiC grains in IDPs. He served as a sample advisor for the Stardust mission, and the analysis of cometary particles was an important focus of his research. His analyses during the preliminary examination of dust particles from Comet Wild-2 returned by the Stardust space probe led to the discovery of a presolar grain among the returned cometary samples. (Editor note: The full memorial may be found at the link below.) http://planetarypolicy.org/memoria101010 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 PASSING OF AUDOUIN CHARLES DOLLFUS French astronomer and aeronaut Audouin Dollfus passed away on October 1, 2010 in Versailles, France, at the age of 85. He contributed to the study of the Sun by creating a coronograph that was used by many spacecraft missions. In 1966 he discovered Janus, the tenth satellite of Saturn, and asteroid 2451 bears his name. In 1955, Dollfus' analysis of lunar dust using polarimetry allowed him to deduce the basaltic nature of the lunar soil and provided expertise for the design of the astronauts' boots. He contributed to the analysis of the lunar samples returned by the Apollo program and collaborated with NASA on the Ranger and the Venus Mariner programs and with the Soviets for their Mars-5 mission in 1973. He created the International Center for Planetary Photography at Meudon. Dollfus designed balloon prototypes that allowed him to take a telescope up to 6000 meters in the air. On April 24, 1959, he reached a height of 14,000 meters in an airtight capsule suspended from 102 balloons, and originated the study of astronomy from space. The data he collected during that flight allowed him to infer the existence of water on Mars. (Editor note: The full memorial may be found at the link below.) http://planetarypolicy.org/memoria101010 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 REMINDER: NASA POLL ON PLANETARY RESEARCH AND ANALYSIS PROGRAMS CLOSES OCT 11 The NASA poll on planetary research and data analysis programs by Jim Green, Director of the NASA Planetary Science Division, will close at 5 PM Eastern, on Monday, October 11. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/nasa_planetary_research Your input is much appreciated. 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] REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) In February 2011, the Deep Impact spacecraft will complete its mission (renamed EPOXI) for a study of extrasolar planets during its cruise to encounter Comet Hartley 2. This Request for Information (RFI) solicits input from the broad space science community that would contribute to NASA's study of possible new uses for the NASA Deep Impact/EPOXI spacecraft beyond its current mission and would support NASA's science objectives in any of SMD's research disciplines (Astrophysics, Earth Science, Heliophysics, and Planetary Science). Responses to this RFI will be used to inform NASA's program planning. The RFI is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH11ZDA003L"). The response date is November 5, 2010. For further information on this RFI, please contact: Mr. William Knopf Science Mission Directorate NASA Headquarters wknopf@hq.nasa.gov (Editor note: Edited for length.) 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 [NASA PDS] CASSINI ISS AND VIMS DATA RELEASE 23 The Imaging Node of the Planetary Data System has published the Cassini Imaging Science System (ISS) volumes coiss_2058 and coiss_2059 and Cassini Visual Infrared Mapping Spectrometer (VIMS) volumes covims_0039 and covims_0040. These can be found on the Imaging Node website at URL: http://pds-imaging.jpl.nasa.gov/data/cassini/cassini_orbiter/ These volumes contain all the Cassini ISS and VIMS data released as part of the Cassini Data Archive Release 23. The Imaging Node is now serving all the Cassini imaging data through December 31, 2009. 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 INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION: THE NEXT DECADE CONFERENCE The American Astronautical Society (AAS) and the Kennedy Space Center are sponsoring the "International Space Station: The Next Decade" national conference on November 16-17 at the Radisson Resort, Cape Canaveral, Florida. The Conference will begin with a panel discussion between the ISS International Partner Program Managers discussing the importance of the ISS in the next decade. It will continue with panel discussions focusing on ISS utilization and research, including the ISS as a National Lab, preparing for exploration, research and development opportunities and results, and transportation options in the post-Shuttle era. NASA Administrator Charlie Bolden and Florida's Lt. Governor Jeff Kottkamp have been invited as keynote and luncheon speakers. A visual tour of the ISS will be hosted by an experienced ISS Expedition crewmember and the Conference will close with a conversation with the on-orbit ISS crew. Earlybird discounted registration is available until October 10th at: http://astronautical.org/ 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 [NASA] ANNOUNCEMENT FOR MEMBERSHIP ON THE WFIRST MISSION SCIENCE DEFINITION TEAM Applications are invited for membership on the Science Definition Team (SDT) for the Wide-Field Infrared Survey Telescope (WFIRST) mission, a strategic mission sponsored by NASA's Astrophysics Division, recommended as the top priority large project by the National Research Council's Decadal Survey of Astronomy and Astrophysics, entitled "New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics" (the Astro2010 Decadal Survey, available at: http://www.nap.edu/catalog.php?record_id=12951) The members of the WFIRST SDT will provide NASA with scientific assistance during preliminary concept definition (Pre-Phase A) activities. Near-term activities of the SDT members will focus primarily on assessing the scientific approach to investigating the goals of the WFIRST space mission as outlined by the Astro2010 Decadal Survey. Participation in the WFIRST SDT will be open to all qualified and interested individuals. Questions or comments may be addressed to the NASA WFIRST Program Scientist: Dr. Rita Sambruna, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Rita.M.Sambruna@nasa.gov 202-358-2166 (Editor note: Edited for length.) 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 MARS EXPLORATION SCIENCE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE Dear Members of the Mars Community, On behalf of Dave Des Marais, the MEPAG Chair, Dave Beaty, Rich Zurek, and Charles Budney of the Mars Program Science Office, the October 2010 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov Regards, Joyce Pulliam 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 CALL FOR PROPOSALS FROM THE EUROPEAN SPACE AGENCY The European Space Agency (ESA) is issuing a Call for Proposals for a medium-size mission opportunity for a launch in 2022 as part of ESA's Cosmic Vision 2015-2025: http://sci.esa.int/2010_M_Call/ NASA is not participating in the solicitation, but ESA program decisions that ultimately flow from the Call may provide cooperative opportunities that could advance progress toward NASA science goals. Proposals are due December 10, 2010. Any questions on NASA's policy regarding the ESA Call for Proposals may be addressed to Dr. Paul Hertz, Chief Scientist, Science Mission Directorate, NASA (202) 358-0986 paul.hertz@nasa.gov (Editor note: Edited for length.) 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 [NASA] SOLICITATION FOR NASA SCIENCE TEAM MEMBERS FOR ESA'S EUCLID MISSION NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) intends to release a solicitation for NASA-selected members of the Science Team for ESA's Euclid mission for dark energy research. This solicitation will be released as an amendment to the Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences 2010 (ROSES-2010) NASA Research Announcement (NRA). The selected PI will serve on the Euclid Science Team and have full data rights to the Euclid flight. The solicitation will describe a Euclid Reference Mission design that demonstrates the existence of a configuration that meets the science goals, as well as Euclid's programmatic constraints, to which proposers must strictly adhere in the proposal of science investigations. The Euclid Reference Mission will include a visible-light imager and a near-infrared spectrograph / photometer. It is anticipated that, subsequent to selection of the Euclid Science Team, the Euclid design may evolve slightly from the Euclid Reference Mission. Questions or comments about this Community Announcement on NASA's Euclid solicitation may be addressed to the NASA Euclid Program Scientist: Dr. Richard Griffiths, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Richard.E.Griffiths@nasa.gov 202-358-1605 (Editor note: Edited for length.) 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 MARS AS ART 2: IMAGES NEEDED! Mars images are needed! The deadline for submitting "Mars as Art" images has been extended to October 22nd. Please submit your favorite images at: http://mars-as-art.cloudapp.net so we can highlight the beauty of Mars during the Year of the Solar System. Michael A. Meyer Mars Exploration Program NASA Headquarters 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS April 11-15, 2011 Fifth Workshop on Titan Chemistry - Observations, Experiments, Computations, and Modeling http://www.chem.hawaii.edu/Bil301/Titan2011.html Poipu Koloa, HI May 30 - June 3, 2011 The Molecular Universe http://cab.inta-csic.es/molecular_universe/ Toledo, Spain June 6-10, 2011 8th Serbian Conference on Spectral Line Shapes in Astrophysics http://www.scslsa.matf.bg.ac.rs/ Divcibare, Serbia July 14-22, 2012 39th COSPAR Scientific Assembly http://www.cospar-assembly.org/ Mysore, India [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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. Go to * http://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (http://www.psi.edu). ***********************************************************************