PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 7, Number 36 (August 18, 2013) 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. Michael J. Wargo (1951-2013) 2. Mars Critical Data Products Program (Round VIII) - Comet Siding Spring Modeling 3. [NASA] HEOMD Announcement of Flight Opportunities (AFO) #7 Now Open 4. [NASA] Astrobiology Strategic Plan Update 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. [NASA] Lessons Learned from Recent Planetary Science Division Announcements of Opportunity 7. [NASA] Registration Opens for NASA Sample Return Robot Challenge 8. Call for Observations: Earth-Based Observing Campaign in Support of the New Horizons Mission to Pluto 9. [NASA] PDS - Dawn Framing Camera Data Release 10. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcements C1. New Product: Globes of the Galilean Satellites 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 MICHAEL J. WARGO (1951-2013) It is with great sadness that we note the unexpected passing of Mike Wargo, Chief Exploration Scientist for NASA's Human Exploration and Operations Mission Directorate (HEOMD). Mike was a leading contributor to NASA's human lunar and planetary exploration program. He was involved in many lunar missions, including Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter and the LCROSS satellite. In his nearly two decades at NASA, he received numerous awards, including the NASA Exceptional Service Medal and seven group achievement awards. He worked tirelessly to integrate science community input into human exploration planning as the primary interface with NASA's Mars, Lunar, and Small Bodies Assessment Groups. His openness, enthusiasm and energy will be sorely missed. More extensive memoria may be found at: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/features/wargo/ http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/nytimes /obituary.aspx?pid=166329664#fbLoggedOut NASA is asking the International Astronomical Union to name a crater on the moon in his honor "so his name will be forever enshrined in the heavens." Gifts may be made to MIT in memory of Michael Wargo for the Department of Materials Science Endowed Fellowship Fund by contacting Bonny Kellerman, bonnyk@mit.edu or at 617-253-9722. 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 MARS CRITICAL DATA PRODUCTS PROGRAM (ROUND VIII) - COMET SIDING SPRING MODELING The Mars Exploration Program has issued, in August 2013, a Request for Proposal (RFP) for round VIII of the Mars Critical Data Products program at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory. This RFP provides support of the modeling the dust and particle environment of Comet 2013 A1 (Siding Spring) during its encounter with Mars in October 2014. The intent is to provide data products useful for risk assessment and mitigation strategy development for the Mars orbiter missions, due to possible impacts from dust and ion tail particles as this comet encounters Mars. Proposals are due on Wednesday, September 11, 2013. Details of the RFPs are posted at: https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/RFP/MJ-2692-072413/default.htm or https://acquisition.jpl.nasa.gov/bizops/ 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] HEOMD ANNOUNCEMENT OF FLIGHT OPPORTUNITIES (AFO) #7 NOW OPEN This solicitation, AFO #7, provides access to a flight to Low Earth Orbit as secondary payloads on the Green Propellant Infusion Mission. Applications are due on or before 11:59 PM Eastern Time on September 12, 2013, and selections will be announced in November 2013 (target). The solicitation is available at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com Select "Solicitations," then "Open Solicitations," and "NOCT110 Announcement of Flight Opportunities." To go directly to the solicitation page, visit: http://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/afo/ NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) seeks to mature towards flight readiness status crosscutting technologies that advance multiple future space missions by testing the technologies in relevant flight environments. To facilitate this goal, NASA is providing access to certain flight opportunities available to the Agency, on a no-exchange-of-funds basis, to entities that have technology payloads meeting specified criteria. This is for non-deployable, nearly-ready-to-demonstrate payloads that could be accommodated on the Green Propellant Infusion Mission that is scheduled for launch in late FY2015. Refer to: http://flightopportunities.nasa.gov/platforms for specific information on vehicle and flight characteristics. Comments and questions may be sent via e-mail to peer-review-afo@nasaprs.com. [Edited for length] 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] ASTROBIOLOGY STRATEGIC PLAN UPDATE The 2014 Astrobiology Strategic Plan is now under construction. It has involved the community in online and face-to-face discussions. Twenty-one working documents have been generated that encompassed research themes as diverse as: How did bio-relevant elements evolve into molecules? How can we best overcome our ignorance about microbial life on Earth? How would we find and identify an inhabited planet? How can we enhance the utility of biosignatures as a tool to search for life in the Solar System & beyond? Starting in September, the working documents will be published on the astrobiologyfuture.org website and you will be invited to review and comment on them. One webinar will be held for each document. In January-to-February 2014, the authors of the working documents will incorporate the community's comments. A face-to-face integration workshop will be held in late February to create a first draft of the Strategic Plan. A final draft will be published in April 2014. For a detailed summary of the face-to-face workshop: https://astrobiology.nasa.gov/roadmap/2014-astrobiology-strategic-plan/ In conclusion, this is your community and NASA wants your input. Be part of this exciting process and make your voice heard! Michael New, Astrobiology Discipline Scientist michael.h.new@nasa.gov [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 POSTDOCTORAL FELLOWSHIPS The NASA Postdoctoral Program (NPP) provides opportunities for scientists and engineers to conduct research largely of their own choosing, yet compatible with the research opportunities posted on the NPP Web site. Selected by a competitive peer-review process, NPP Fellows complete one- to three-year Fellowship appointments that advance NASA's missions in earth science, heliophysics, planetary science, astrophysics, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and space operations, and astrobiology. An example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/17903 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. The latest NPP Newsletter: http://bit.ly/14cNpfH For further information and to apply, visit: http://nasa.orau.org/postdoc/description/index.htm Questions: nasapostdoc@orau.org 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] LESSONS LEARNED FROM RECENT PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION ANNOUNCEMENTS OF OPPORTUNITY The New Frontiers 2009 AO, the Discovery 2010 AO, and the Jupiter Icy Moon Explorer (JUICE) Instrument AO contained new features such as incentives for the use of specific, NASA-developed technologies, extended reserve requirements and concurrent evaluations by international partners. In anticipation of the next AOs for the Discovery and New Frontiers Programs, NASA seeks information from the scientific and mission management community on perceptions of the distinctive features of the three recent AOs. This information may be used as the basis for further dialogue via a subsequent, virtual, town-hall style meeting. Responses are required as PDF documents, not exceeding five pages, uploaded through NASA's NSPIRES system. Each response shall address a single issue, identified by the respondent, that may be common to all of the AOs, some of them, or relevant to only one of them. There is no limit on the number of responses that an individual or institution may submit. Responses are due by October 15, 2013. For instructions, go to: http://nspires.nasaprs.com Select "Solicitations," then "Open Solicitations," and NNH13ZDA014L. Questions should be addressed to: Dr. Michael New 202-358-1766 michael.h.new@nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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] REGISTRATION OPENS FOR NASA SAMPLE RETURN ROBOT CHALLENGE Registration is now open for teams wishing to compete in the $1.495 million robotics competition known as the Sample Return Robot Challenge, sponsored by NASA and managed by Worcester Polytechnic Institute of Worcester, MA. Registration for the competition will close on January 7, 2014 with late registration available until March 15, 2014. The competition will be held June 11-13, 2014. For information about the Sample Return Robot Challenge rules, requirements, and how to register, visit: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do? method=init&solId={A282D064-383A-8906-2956-A6D67CE2964D}&path=open To win, a team must demonstrate a fully autonomous robot that can seek out samples and return them to a designated point within a set time period. Robots will be required to navigate over unknown terrain, around obstacles, and in varied lighting conditions without human control, or use of GPS, or other terrestrial navigation aids. The Sample Return Robot Challenge is part of the Centennial Challenges Program within NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate, which is innovating, developing, testing and flying hardware for use in NASA's future missions. For more information about NASA's investment in space technology, visit: http://www.nasa.gov/spacetech [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 CALL FOR OBSERVATIONS: EARTH-BASED OBSERVING CAMPAIGN IN SUPPORT OF THE NEW HORIZONS MISSION TO PLUTO The July 2015 New Horizons encounter with Pluto presents a once-in-a -lifetime opportunity to directly link our Earth-based view of the Pluto system with 'ground truth' provided by in situ measurements. With the encouragement of Dr. James L. Green, Director of Planetary Science, NASA Headquarters, a call for observations is being made in support of the New Horizons mission. Observers throughout the international community are invited to participate. The goal of the observing campaign is to establish an extensive Earth-based measurement context for the state of the Pluto system at the time of the flyby, including evolving trends in the system for at least one year prior- and post-flyby. Further details on the campaign are available here: http://www.boulder.swri.edu/nh-support-obs/ Please register your interest by sending an email to: nhobs "at" boulder.swri.edu In addition, informal workshops (information sessions) are being planned during the European Planetary Science Conference (EPSC) in London 8-13 September and during the Division for Planetary Sciences Meeting (DPS) in Denver 6-11 October. The DPS workshop will be on Tuesday, 8 October at 12:00noon-1:00pm in the Plaza Ballroom E at the Sheraton Denver Downtown. 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] PDS - DAWN FRAMING CAMERA DATA RELEASE The Planetary Data System (PDS) is pleased to announce the release of the Dawn Framing Camera L1a (raw) and L1b (calibrated) data for all Vesta phases. To access the above data, please visit the following link: http://sbn.psi.edu/pds/resource/dwnvfc2.html For access to all PDS-archived Dawn data, go to: http://sbn.psi.edu/pds/archive/dawn.html 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html October 7-11, 2013 Astrophysical Turbulence: From Galaxies to Planets http://www.pks.mpg.de/~aturb13/ Dresden, Germany [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 NEW PRODUCT: GLOBES OF THE GALILEAN SATELLITES Real World Globes, in conjunction with the Ronald Greeley Center for Planetary Studies (NASA's Regional Planetary Information Facility at Arizona State University) and the US Geological Survey, have produced sets of Galilean satellite globes available for purchase. Using the combined Galileo-Voyager global mosaics produced by the USGS and including up-to-date named surface features, Real World Globes has produced globes of Io, Europa, Ganymede, and Callisto, which are available for purchase for $150 each (assembled) or $125 each (kits) for the 10 inch globes, and $288 each (assembled) or $178 each (kits) for the 18 inch globes. A 10% discount is offered for purchase of any combination of 4 globes. The globes were presented and displayed at the July 2013 OPAG Meeting in Washington DC, and will be on display at the Real World Globes booth at the Fall AGU Meeting. Although the quality of these globes is not as good as the Replogle globes of the Moon or Mars, they are probably good enough for most purposes. For more information, please go to: http://realworldglobes.com/ *********************************************************************** * 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. 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) using no NASA funds. 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