PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 1 (January 6, 2013) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Melissa Lane Co-Editors: Susan Benecchi, Mark V. Sykes Email: pen_editor at psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Bertram Donn (1919-2012) 2. [NASA] Retirement Letter from Doug McCuiston 3. [NASA] Three-day Training Course on Planetary Protection 4. [PDS] Odyssey Data Release 42 5. [PDS] Cassini Data Release 32 6. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 7. January MEPAG Newsletter Available Plus Correction 8. Community Urged to Hear NASA's Jim Green Presentation Next Week 9. Call for Abstracts - 64th International Astronautical Congress 10. Call for Students and Young Professionals - 64th International Astronautical Congress 11. Planetary Science Slides and Illustrations 12. Space Place Prime - Free NASA App Now Available for iPhone 13. Neil Armstrong Didn't Lie About his "One Small Step" Quote 14. 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 BERTRAM DONN (1919-2012) Dr. Bertram "Bert" Donn, the first head of NASA Goddard's astro- chemistry group, passed away on Friday December 28, 2012 at age 93. Bert, a New Yorker by birth, attended Harvard University, where he was taught by such legends as Fred Whipple, Cecilia Payne, and Bart Bok. A meeting with Harold Urey in the 1950s turned Bert's attention to problems of low-temperature reactions and their connections to inter- stellar chemistry. Bert's research at Goddard spanned theory, observation, and experiment, with connections to NASA missions such as Skylab, Apollo, and the International Ultraviolet Explorer. Almost all of his research concerned cometary and interstellar matter in some way. Bert also was an early NASA contributor to the astrobiological literature, and initiated several astrobiology-related research projects at Goddard. He was a pioneer in astrochemistry and NASA research. He did much to establish NASA's strong scientific reputation among astronomers and planetary scientists around the world. Aside from his Goddard work, Bert was a well-known and honored advocate of non- violence and peaceful conflict resolution, and was instrumental in the racial integration of Greenbelt, where he and his family lived for 50 years. For more information please see: http://science.gsfc.nasa.gov/691/Donn.html Joe Nuth Reggie Hudson 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] RETIREMENT LETTER FROM DOUG MCCUISTON To the Mars Exploration Community, As I depart from the Program and NASA, after more than 20 years with Agency and nearly 9 years leading the Mars Exploration Program, I want to thank and congratulate you all on what we have accomplished. As I look back it has truly been a remarkable decade of achievements, advancements, discovery, community convergence, and world-wide notoriety. From engineer to scientist to manager, we pulled together through some tough times, kept the program, missions and research on track, replanned as challenges were thrown our way, capitalized on the incredible successes of Odyssey, Spirit & Opportunity, MRO, Phoenix, and of course MSL/Curiosity. We have changed science and changed the text books! This community has shown incredible poise, resilience, selflessness and togetherness, and incredible foresight. You have had the vision to look past challenging times and create a bright future for Mars and solar system exploration. Our recent accomplishments with Curiosity have brought Mars and solar system exploration into many people’s daily lives for the first time, and we have touched the world with this incredible feat—and there’s more to come! The adventure is just beginning! While timing a retirement is always challenging, I leave encouraged and content—Curiosity safely on the surface doing incredible science (landing in a stream bed—what a start!), and a secure future for the Mars Exploration Program with a 2020 science rover mission after MAVEN and an ExoMars cooperation. In the interim, the Program is in good hands with Michael Meyer and Jim Green (acting Program Director). The Agency is well aware of the importance of Mars and will be actively pursuing a replacement. I have been honored to work with, and lead, such an extraordinary and innovative community. My years working with you, and our accomplishments, are without doubt the highlight of my career! Keep moving forward, keep innovating, keep discovering! On to Mars… Doug Doug McCuistion NASA Headquarters [Editor: Length exception made.] 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] THREE-DAY TRAINING COURSE ON PLANETARY PROTECTION Course: "Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices" Dates: March 12-14, 2013 Location: Kennedy Space Center, Florida Registration fee of $500 We cordially invite all interested parties to participate in the upcoming course on Planetary Protection Policies and Practices, which is designed to familiarize current and future practitioners with NASA, ESA, and COSPAR planetary protection programs. The course provides an overview of applicable policies, practices and procedures necessary to implement a successful planetary protection program, emphasizing integration of managerial, administrative, and laboratory activities. It is supported by the NASA Planetary Protection Officer: http://planetaryprotection.nasa.gov/course Enrollment: 14 participants Application: contact tasalb@msn.com 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 [PDS] Odyssey Data Release 42 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Odyssey Data, Release 42, for the following instruments: GRS, THEMIS, RADIO SCIENCE (Releases 124-126) and SPICE. The gamma sensor component of the GRS instrument suite will no longer return data. The HEND and neutron spectrometer components continue to operate. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20130102.html 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 [PDS] CASSINI DATA RELEASE 32 The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce a new delivery of Cassini data, Release 32, January to March 2012, for instruments: CIRS, ISS, RADAR, RPWS, SPICE, UVIS, VIMS (RSS had no observations this period, and CDA, HRD, CAPS, INMS, MAG, and MIMI data will be ready soon) Please note that while the data products from this release are available online now through the links below, they may not be immediately accessible through PDS web services such as the Planetary Image Data Atlas. Large data sets may take as long as a few days beyond the formal release date to be incorporated into these services. Check each service's web site to see the status of the latest release. To access the above data, please visit: http://pds.nasa.gov/subscription_service/SS-20130103.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 JANUARY MEPAG NEWSLETTER AVAILABLE PLUS CORRECTION 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 January 2013 edition of the Mars Exploration Science Monthly Newsletter can be found at: http://mepag.jpl.nasa.gov CORRECTION: The updated version contains the following correction. The January 15-16, 2013 Planetary Protection: Policies and Practices course has been removed and rescheduled for March 12-14, 2013. Regards, Joyce Pulliam 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 COMMUNITY URGED TO HEAR NASA'S JIM GREEN PRESENTATION NEXT WEEK There has been much discussion of NASA's Planetary Science Division (PSD) budget in recent weeks (about R&A in particular). Next week, Jim Green will give a presentation at the OPAG meeting in Atlanta about this, at 8:30 am on 10 January 2013. We strongly encourage our membership to call in via webcast to hear what he has to say, and to educate themselves about the current and upcoming PSD budget, including R&A. You can register for the webex and see the agenda at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/ Rosaly Lopes (DPS Chair) & Heidi Hammel (DPS Vice-Chair) 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 ABSTRACTS - 64TH INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the largest space- related conference worldwide and selects an average of 1000 scientific papers every year. The IAC is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL). In 2013, the IAC will be held in Beijing, China, September 23-27. The IAC has posted a "Call for Abstracts," with a submission deadline of February 21, 2013. NASA plans to also announce a "Call for Abstracts" inviting graduate students to submit abstracts (of no more than 400 words) to participate in the 64th International Astronautical Congress. Abstracts must be submitted to NASA and to the IAF. Details on the NASA Call for Abstracts will be distributed by mid-January, with the same submission deadline of February 21, 2013. The selected NASA sponsored students must also be selected by the IAF. For additional information about the Congress and to obtain information about the "Call for Abstracts", please visit the IAC website: http://www.iac2013.org/ 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 CALL FOR STUDENTS AND YOUNG PROFESSIONALS - 64TH INTERNATIONAL ASTRONAUTICAL CONGRESS If you could choose humanity's next destination in space, where would you choose? We want to hear what you think should be the next destination for humans to explore and why your destination is the best. As today's 21- to 35-year-olds, you will be the senior engineers and mission managers who will be carrying out and leading the next human missions to explore space, and we want your input. We invite you to share your ideas with space leaders in government, industry and academia at the International Astronautical Congress in Beijing, China, 23-27 September 2013! Round One: By January 6, 2013, create a 15 second video telling us why you should be chosen to address the IAC and post it on: http://www.youtube.com. Then complete the application available at: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheet/ viewform?formkey=dG4yUW1XRHhKeVh3UFpKc1NKQ1lUbFE6MQ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 PLANETARY SCIENCE SLIDES AND ILLUSTRATIONS Are you looking for some great slides or illustrations to use in your classes this term? The Planetary Science Research Discoveries website has sets of Powerpoint slides. These are summaries of PSRD articles covering the origin of solar systems and the processes by which planets, moons, and small bodies form and evolve. The slides are annotated with captions and notes, and are linked to PSRD articles that provide the full context, additional graphics, and references. http://www.psrd.hawaii.edu/Archive/Archive-PSRDpresents.html The Cosmochemistry Illustrated website offers Powerpoint slides with planetary examples to enrich any geochemistry, petrology, and introductory geology course. References and background are given in the notes pages. http://www.higp.hawaii.edu/cosmoeye/ 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 SPACE PLACE PRIME - FREE NASA APP NOW AVAILABLE FOR IPHONE "Space Place Prime," the popular NASA iPad magazine, is now available for iPhone. This exciting app gathers some of the best and most recent web offerings from NASA. It taps engrossing articles from The Space Place website, enlightening NASA videos, and daily images such as the Astronomy Picture of the Day and the NASA Earth Observatory Image of the Day. Space Place Prime targets a multigenerational audience. Kids, teachers, parents, space enthusiasts, and everyone in between will find fascinating features on this new, free NASA iPhone app. Look for it in the Apple Store today at: http://itunes.apple.com/us/app/space-place-prime/id543935008?mt=8 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 NEIL ARMSTRONG DIDN'T LIE ABOUT HIS "ONE SMALL STEP" QUOTE Dear Friends and Colleagues, I was distressed to see recent news stories claiming that Neil Armstrong lied to the world about when he made up his famous "One small step for a man, one giant leap for mankind" quote. I have written an op-ed in response, which is now available on Space.com: http://www.space.com/19136-neil-armstrong-moon-speech-truth.html I would appreciate it if you would spread this far and wide, to counteract the ridiculous statements that have been made in past days. Feel free to send it to any publications you may have contact with. Thanks, Andy Chaikin 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html January 6-10, 2013 221st Meeting of the American Astronomical Society http://aas.org/meetings/aas221 Long Beach, CA January 24, 2013 Venus Upper Atmosphere Science and Technology Interchange Meeting http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/SSPO/SP/VenusUpper/workshop.html Cleveland, OH June 2-6, 2013 222nd Meeting of the American Astronomical Society http://aas.org/meetings/aas222 Indianapolis, IN June 15-16, 2013 IPPW-10 Short Course on Entry, Descent, and Landing Systems http://www.ippw10.com/index.php/program/short San Jose, CA June 17-21, 2013 10th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW10) http://www.ippw10.com/ San Jose, CA June 18-21, 2013 From Exoplanets to Distant Galaxies: SPICA's New Window on the Cool Universe http://www.ir.isas.jaxa.jp/SPICA/spica2013/ Kanagawa, Japan July 9-11, 2013 Comets as Tracers of Solar System Formation and Evolution http://icw.space.swri.edu/index.htm Toulouse, France [Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop of which you think 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.php, 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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