PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 6, Number 58 (December 30, 2012) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Melissa Lane, Susan Benecchi Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. EDITORIAL 2. [NASA] Changes in the Management of the Mars Exploration Program 3. [NASA] Lori Glaze New VEXAG Chair 4. Would You Like to See a Volcanology Session at LPSC 2013? 5. 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 EDITORIAL Mark V. Sykes Planetary Science Institute The US planetary science community is a national resource that is essential to our solar system exploration program. This community was created by and is sustained through NASA support, a significant fraction of which is the planetary R&A programs. An analysis of updated budget information posted at http://planetarypolicy.org shows that funding for annually competed research and data analysis programs in ROSES (less than 13% of the planetary budget) in recent years is: FY11 $151M FY12 $161M FY13 $153M At a minimum, this year's decline needs to be reversed to ensure that selection rates are improved to stop the imminent loss of the younger generation of planetary scientists as well as many seasoned researchers. The cost is frankly small and demands high priority. Multi-year budget planning is essential. We also face significant negative consequences from the effective collapse of the Discovery program combined with the termination of the Mars Scount program. Discovery (now including Mars) needs to be restored to its original AO cadence and selection rates. With the absence of Administration leadership, this will require action by the community to call for additional appropriated funds with explicit direction by Congress. [Editor Note: This Editorial was modified on 12/31/12, to correct an error, reducing the FY11 budget from $159M to $151M, and include changes in the text to reflect this.] 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] CHANGES IN THE MANAGEMENT OF THE MARS EXPLORATION PROGRAM James L. Green, Director, NASA Planetary Science Division With the retirement of Doug McCuistion, Director of the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) at the end of December, I would like to announce the following: Acting MEP Director: James Green Lead MEP Program Executive: Lisa May Lead MEP Program Scientist: Michael Meyer Doug has worked tirelessly for the Federal Government for over 30 years and as the Director of MEP for 8 1/2 years. His dedication to the program is legendary. As a good friend, I will miss our daily interactions and his very steady hand on the Mars program. I am sure I speak for everyone in wishing him the very best in his future endeavors. 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] LORI GLAZE NEW VEXAG CHAIR Dr. Lori Glaze a planetary volcanologist from NASA GSFC has been appointed as the next Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) chair effective January 1, 2013. She succeeds Dr. Sanjay Limaye, the current VEXAG chair, from Wisconsin University-Madison. The Planetary Science Division thanks Dr. Limaye for his leadership and support to further the aims of Venus exploration, and welcomes Dr. Glaze as the VEXAG chair. Adriana C. Ocampo Uria New Frontiers Lead Program Executive (Juno and New Horizons) Venus Lead Scientist 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 WOULD YOU LIKE TO SEE A VOLCANOLOGY SESSION AT LPSC 2013? We were denied a special session, but are hoping for an informal session focused on planetary volcanology at the next LPSC. Towards that end, we encourage the submission of abstracts focusing on planetary volcanology, especially the topics of lava emplacement and resultant geomorphology. Please help us achieve critical mass so that this topic will warrant an informal oral/poster session. Thank you, Serina Diniega & Suzanne Smrekar (JPL) 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 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 7-11, 2013 Third Workshop on Robotic Autonomous Observatories http://astrorob.iaa.es/ Torremolinos, Spain [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.] *********************************************************************** * 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, or * send a request to pen_editor at psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor at psi.edu * * 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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