PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 4, Number 51 (November 21, 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 Brian Marsden (1937-2010) 2. [NASA] Request for Proposals for Mars Exploration Program Critical Data Products Program 3. [NASA] New Proposal Opportunity in the Kepler Participating Scientists Program 4. Planetary Scientist Staff Position 5. Professional Development Event Survey 6. 8th International Planetary Probe Workshop 7. 39th Scientific Assembly of the Committee on Space Research and Associated Events (COSPAR 2012) 8. Fourth Meeting of the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group 9. 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 BRIAN MARSDEN It is with deep sorrow that we announce the death of Brian Marsden today, long-time director of the Minor Planet Center, well-known small bodies scientist, and central figure in the great planet debate. An obituary has been posted at: http://www.minorplanetcenter.org/mpec/K10/K10W10.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] REQUEST FOR PROPOSALS FOR MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM CRITICAL DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM (ROUND VI) The Mars Exploration Program has issued a Request for Proposal (round VI) for the Critical Data Products program. This RFP provides support to develop a number of scientifically high-priority landing sites on Mars that will form an initial list for future landed missions. Details of the RFPs are posted at: http://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/rfp/NKB-269-122010/default.htm 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] NEW PROPOSAL OPPORTUNITY IN THE KEPLER PARTICIPATING SCIENTISTS PROGRAM This program element solicits proposals for the Kepler Participating Scientists Program (PSP). The Kepler PSP is designed to augment the skill set of the Kepler Science Team, thereby enabling it to more effectively execute the science program of the mission. Participating Scientists serve as members of the Kepler Science Team and participate in Science Team activities such as data processing and analysis, transit candidate follow-up and characterization, and publication. The Kepler PSP is complementary to, but distinct from, the Kepler Guest Observer (GO) program. Notices of Intent to propose are due January 7, 2011. Proposals are due February 11, 2011. Table 2 and Table 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA have been updated to reflect this change. This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010" (NNH10ZDA001N) will be posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH10ZDA001N") Further information about this program element is available from Dr. Douglas Hudgins, Astrophysics Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001 (202) 358-0988 Douglas.M.Hudgins@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 PLANETARY SCIENTIST STAFF POSITION The Bear Fight Institute is seeking candidates for scientist staff positions and post-doctoral fellowships who have experience in studying the surfaces of Solar System objects and interpreting their origin and evolution. Current programs emphasize planning, operations, data analysis, disciplines associated with active and proposed space missions, and conducting research using multi and hyperspectral images. Experience is needed in data processing and analysis, and in associated science, mathematical and computer skills. Work is centered within a small research group near Winthrop, WA USA. Extensive domestic and international travel is often involved to participate in research team and professional society meetings, and for collaborative efforts with other research groups. Good writing and communication skills in English are necessary for preparing professional articles, progress reports, and writing proposals. Desired are those candidates in the early stages of their careers with developing research programs, or in mid to latter career stages interested in taking a leadership position. Position(s) could start immediately and is/are annually renewable dependent upon federal funding. Ph.D. in fields related to planetary science and the ability to work independently is required. Salary and benefits are competitive. See full job description and contact information under Opportunities at: www.bearfightinstitute.com 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 PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EVENT SURVEY Please respond to the survey linked below to prioritize professional development event topics for the next DPS meetings. The survey has one question, so it will take a short time to complete. Keep in mind that professional development programs are for all members of the community. If there is a program that you would like to see, but it is not listed, please add it in the comments. http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/265H3NC Please contact Rachel Mastrapa (rachel.m.mastrapa@nasa.gov) if you have any questions. 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 8TH INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP The 8th international planetary probe workshop will be held from June 6-10, 2011 in Portsmouth, VA. The workshop will bring together scientists, engineers, technologists, mission designers, space agency leaders, and exceptional students for a focused discussion on solar system destinations via in-situ missions. The workshop will be preceded by a short course entitled "Atmospheric Flight Systems Technologies" from June 4-5, 2011. For more information contact: David H. Atkinson atkinson@uidaho.edu 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 39TH SCIENTIFIC ASSEMBLY OF THE COMMITTEE ON SPACE RESEARCH AND ASSOCIATED EVENTS (COSPAR 2012) 14 - 22 July 2012 Mysore, India Contact: COSPAR Secretariat c/o CNES 2 Place Maurice Quentin 75039 Paris Cedex 01, France Tel: +33 1 44 76 75 10 Fax: +33 1 44 76 74 37 cospar@cosparhq.cnes.fr http://www.cospar-assembly.org Scientific Program Chair: Prof. U.R. Rao, Department of Space, India Abstract Deadline: Mid-February 2012 Selected papers published in Advances in Space Research, a fully refereed journal with no deadlines open to all submissions in relevant fields. 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 FOURTH MEETING OF THE NASA SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP Dates: January 24-26, 2011 Location: Westin Washington National Harbor Hotel, Washington DC To register for this meeting and for accommodations information, please go to: http://icpi.nasaprs.com/sbag4 (please note the meeting dates on this site are not correct at this time, the correct dates are above). The first half of the meeting will be The Technology Forum on Small Body Scientific Exploration. This special session will bring together scientists, technologists, and mission planners for a unique review of current and emerging robotic technologies and an open discussion of needed developments. The second half of the meeting will focus on the Roadmap for the Exploration of Small Bodies in the Solar System. The agenda is under development. To participate in the Roadmap activities, please go to: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/roadmap/ Information about the NASA Small Bodies Assessment Group is at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/ Questions about the meeting should be directed to Mark Sykes (sykes@psi.edu). 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS March 5-6, 2011 The Importance of Solar System Sample Return Missions to the Future of Planetary Science http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/sssr2011/ The Woodlands, TX June 6-10, 2011 8th Interational Planetary Probe Workshop Contact: David H. Atkinson (atkinson@uidaho.edu) Portsmouth, VA July 17-22, 2011 Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 2011 http://chiron.mtk.nao.ac.jp/ACM2011/ Niijita, Japan [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. 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