PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 39 (September 9, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Susan Benecchi Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Melissa Lane Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Editorial: September 12, 1962 2. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 3. DPS Workshop on Planetary Science on Commercial Suborbital Platforms 4. Volcano-Lithosphere Interactions on the Terrestrial Planets Postdoctoral Fellowship: Lunar and Planetary Institute 5. [NASA] PDS: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 22 6. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 7. 8th IAG International Conference on Geomorphology - August 2013 8. Call for Proposals for the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility (IRTF) 9. [NASA] Final Text for Salmon-2 AO: Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer Instrument 10. [NASA] PDS MESSENGER Release 8 11. Announcing LunarCubes Science Briefing at DPS Reno, NV 12. Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets 2013 13. VEXAG Newsletter 14. DAWN Grand L1A Data Release 15. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. Galactic Analytics Helps to Find Recent Meteorites 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 EDITORIAL: SEPTEMBER 12, 1962 More than a year earlier, President Kennedy had announced before Congress the dramatic goal of sending an American to the Moon before the end of the decade. We were in a race with the Soviet Union. On September 12, 1962, President Kennedy gave another speech at Rice University, where he laid out a broader vision of national leadership, economic progress and sheer challenge for going to the Moon and exploring space. It was an exhilarating time. While Kennedy laid out some broader motivations, once we reached the Moon the American human exploration program almost collapsed. It has suffered ever since from a lack of long term purpose beyond maintaining a level of national prestige and technological capability. A long term purpose is not beyond our reach. It is needed to provide necessary focus to our human space efforts. I reach back to the public visions of the future in the 1960s, when we thought we all might have a future beyond Earth. I envision President Obama at Rice University on the 50th anniversary of Kennedy's speech, laying out a renewed vision: http://planetarypolicy.org/obama_at_rice Mark V. Sykes Planetary Science Institute 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The August 'Image of the Month' is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/Sep12Image.html This Month's topic is on "Sturzstroms on Saturn's Moon Iapetus". Image and caption provided by Kelsi Singer. Ph.D Candidate, Earth and Planetary Sciences, Washington University, USA. Past images and captions are available at: http://www.psi.edu/pgwg/images/index.html Mary Bourke Coordinator of the IAG Working Group on Planetary Geomorphology 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 DPS WORKSHOP ON PLANETARY SCIENCE ON COMMERCIAL SUBORBITAL PLATFORMS October 14, 2012, Sunday 2:00 - 4:00 Pm The most recent Planetary Sciences Decadal Survey report, Visions and Voyages for Planetary Science 2013-2022, highlights the potential advantages of using suborbital platforms for planetary science experiments. Suborbital vehicles not only provide platforms for science observations and experiments, the modest costs and development times for suborbital missions mean they also provide excellent training opportunities for future spacecraft mission PIs and developers of spacecraft instruments. Suborbital platforms also offer advantages for increasing technology readiness level for flight experiments at a fraction of the costs of traditional orbital platforms. Visions and Voyages discusses only balloons and rockets, but reusable commercial suborbital vehicles also provide a new opportunity to do science outside the traditional and costly, low-risk approach. This workshop will examine how commercial suborbital vehicles can be exploited to use new approaches to instrumentation, spacecraft and mission design to answer planetary science questions. Composed of talks and panel discussions, this workshop will: Present science results and lessons learned from planetary scientists engaged in research using reusable commercial suborbital vehicles; Explore opportunities for flying and funding experiments. http://www.psi.edu/dps12/sciprog.shtml 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 VOLCANO-LITHOSPHERE INTERACTIONS ON THE TERRESTRIAL PLANETS POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIP: LUNAR AND PLANETARY INSTITUTE The Universities Space Research Association - Houston invites applications for a postdoctoral fellowship in geophysical studies of the growth/evolution of large volcanic edifices and provinces on the terrestrial planets. The candidate will work with Dr. Patrick McGovern exploring mechanical interactions between intrusive and extrusive volcanic edifice growth, lithospheric flexural response, and magma ascent, using numerical modeling techniques, including Finite Element (FEM) and Distinct Element (DEM) Methods. Research will also entail analysis of imagery, topography, gravity, and spectral datasets for large planetary volcanoes in order to constrain the modeling efforts. Potential bodies of interest include Venus, Io, the Moon, Earth, and Mars. Requirements are a recent Ph.D. in geophysics or geology. Experience quantitative modeling of geophysical, geological, or magmatic processes with advanced codes as COMSOL Multiphysics (FEM) and PFC (DEM). Programming languages, MATLAB or FORTRAN 95 desirable. The position is two years with a possible extension to three years. Send letter of interest, curriculum vita with a list of relevant publications, brief statement of research interests, and three references to: https://usracareers.silkroad.com/ Further information may be found at: www.lpi.usra.edu The Universities Space Research Association is an Equal Opportunity Employer. 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: Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 22 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) data for the following instruments: CRISM, CTX, HiRISE, MARCI, MCS, RSS, SHARAD and SPICE. In general, MRO Release 22 includes data collected between November 9, 2011 and February 8, 2012. The release includes HiRISE data for April 30, 2012 - August 1, 2012 (orbits 27,000 - 28, 199). To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120901.html To access the latest PDS Data Releases, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-Release.html 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 NASA POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) offers scientists and engineers unique opportunities to conduct research at NASA Centers. Each NPP fellowship opportunity is designed to advance NASA research in a specific project related to space science, earth science, aeronautics, exploration systems, lunar science, astrobiology, or astrophysics. Applicants must have a Ph.D. or equivalent degree in hand before beginning the fellowship, but may apply while completing the degree requirements. U. S. citizens, Lawful Permanent Residents, and foreign nationals eligible for J-1 status as a Research Scholar may apply. Stipends start at $53,500 per year, with supplements for high cost-of-living areas and for certain academic specialties. Financial assistance is available for relocation and health insurance, and $8,000 per year is provided for professional travel. Applications are accepted three times each year: March 1, July 1, and November 1. For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions may be submitted by e-mail to nasapostdoc@orau.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 8TH IAG INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON GEOMORPHOLOGY - AUGUST 2013 Please consider submitting an abstract to the special session on Planetary Geomorphology: http://www.geomorphology-iag-paris2013.com/en/s3-%E2%80%93-planetary- geomorphology-iag-wg Deadline for abstract submission is October 15th. Funding to assist students will be available (more details will follow after October). Mary Bourke & Nicholas Mangold 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 CALL FOR PROPOSALS FOR THE NASA INFRARED TELESCOPE FACILITY (IRTF) DEADLINE: 1 October 2012 Proposals for observing time on the NASA Infrared Telescope Facility for the February 1 through July 31, 2013 semester are due Monday, October 1, 2012, 5:00 P.M. Hawaii Standard Time. Submission at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/observing/applicationForms.php Please note that we allow only one page each for the Scientific Justification and the Technical Justification. You may include one additional page for figures and tables. Submit these as a pdf attachment via the online form. Observers should read the information on the current IRTF instrument complement and also on the visitor instruments that are available on a collaborative basis at: http://irtfweb.ifa.hawaii.edu/Facility/ Facility instruments include: * SpeX (0.8-5.4 micron spectrograph) * NSFCAM2 (1-5 micron camera) * CSHELL (1-5 micron high-resolution spectrograph) Visitor instruments (available on a collaborative basis with the instrument team) include: * TEXES (5-20 micron high-resolution spectrograph; contact Matt Richter at richter@physics.ucdavis.edu) * BASS (3-14 micron spectrometer; contact David Lynch at david.k.lynch@aero.org) * CELESTE (5-25 micron echelle spectrometer; contact Don Jennings at donald.e.jennings@nasa.gov) * HIPWAC (9-12 micron heterodyne spectrometer; contact Ted Kostiuk at theodor.kostiuk-1@nasa.gov). Remote observing is available with SpeX, NSFCAM2, and CSHELL from any site that is convenient for the observer. [Edited for length.] 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 [NASA] FINAL TEXT FOR SALMON-2 AO: JUPITER ICY MOONS EXPLORER INSTRUMENT This Program Element Appendix (PEA) solicits proposals for NASA-funded instrument investigations led by a U.S. Principal Investigator (PI) for the ESA JUICE mission. This amendment presents updated text for Appendix K, JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer Instrument, which adds additional text and requirements to Sections 5.1 and 5.2. The due date for proposals has not changed. The due date for proposals for the solicitation has not changed. The submission of an Experiment Interface Document - Part B (EID-B) is now required by October 8, 2012. This Amendment to the NASA Announcement of Opportunity "Second Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity (SALMON-2)" (NNH12ZDA006O) is posted on the NASA research opportunity home page at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ Questions concerning Appendix K, JUpiter ICy Moons Explorer instrument, may be addressed to: Dr. Curt Niebur curt.niebur@nasa.gov (202) 358-0390 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] PDS MESSENGER RELEASE 8 The Planetary Data System is pleased to announce Release 8 of data collected by the MErcury Surface, Space ENvironment, GEochemistry, and Ranging (MESSENGER) mission. After a 6.6-year cruise phase, during which the spacecraft flew by Earth once, Venus twice, and Mercury three times, MESSENGER entered orbit about the innermost planet on 18 March 2011, becoming the first spacecraft ever to do so. The primary orbital phase lasted one Earth-year, and the spacecraft is now in an extended year of orbital operations. This delivery extends the formatted raw and calibrated data available at the PDS for all seven MESSENGER science instruments and the radio science investigation from 17 September 2011 to 25 March 2012. SPICE data from launch through the period of this release are also included. With this release, data are now available to the public for the second full Mercury solar day of MESSENGER orbital operations. All data sets in this MESSENGER release can be accessed from: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20120907.html PDS archive: http://pds.nasa.gov The ACT-REACT QuickMap interactive Web interface to MESSENGER data: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu http://www.nasa.gov/messenger The MDIS mosaics can be downloaded from: http://messenger.jhuapl.edu/the_mission/mosaics.html 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 ANNOUNCING LUNARCUBES SCIENCE BRIEFING AT DPS RENO, NV In the last ten years five nations have sent nine missions to the Moon and in the next decade there will be many followup missions, add in the Google X Prize teams and space entrepreneurs like Planetary Resources and we will have ten to twenty missions to cis-Lunar space including several Lunar landers. All of these missions are looking for science components, but are also in a hurry to plant the flag or win the prize, with or without good science on board. What simple science would you like to do? Experiments can range from demonstrations to that one measurement that could advance your science if only you had it. Dates: * LunarCubes Science Briefing, DPS Reno, NV - Oct 17, 2012 * LunarCubes workshop Mountain View CA (Nov 4-6, 2012) - CANCELLED * LunarCubes Engineering Briefing, Ames, CA - Nov 2012 (Date TBD) * LunarCubes Missions Briefing, KSC, FL - April 11, 2013 * 1st International Workshop on LunarCubes, Mountain View CA, Nov 6-8, 2013 Video presentations and remote attendance are an integral part of our planning. Please consider virtual presentation/ attendance. Abstract submission and registration at: Lunar-Cubes.com For more information contact: pamela.e.clark@nasa.gov russell.cox@flexureengineering.com [Edited for length.] 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 MAGNETOSPHERES OF THE OUTER PLANETS 2013 The 2013 MOP Conference will take place on July 8 to 12 in Athens, Greece. See http://space.academyofathens.gr/mop2013/ Registration and abstract submission open: January 7, 2013 Abstract submission deadline: May 1, 2013 Registration deadline: May 31, 2013 Nick Sergis, for the LOC mop2013athens@gmail.com 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 VEXAG NEWSLETTER Latest issue of the VEXAG newsletter has been posted at: www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 DAWN GRAND L1A DATA RELEASE The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce the availability of Dawn GRaND L1a data for all mission phases through the end of the Vesta Low Altitude Mapping Orbit (LAMO). To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://sbn.psi.edu/pds/archive/dawn.html 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 3-4, 2013 1st Annual International Conference on Astronomy and Astrophysics (Astro 2013) http://www.astro-conf.org/ Singapore July 8-12, 2013 Magnetospheres of the Outer Planets 2013 http://space.academyofathens.gr/mop2013/ Athens, Greece [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which your colleagues should be aware, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor at psi.edu.] *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL ANNOUNCEMENTS *********************************************************************** C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 GALACTIC ANALYTICS HELPS TO FIND RECENT METEORITES We offer a subscription-based service providing analysis of weather radar imagery for predicting locations of meteorite strewn fields. 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