PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 9, Number 30 (July 26, 2015) 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. AGU 2015 Session 7784: Magnetospheres in the Inner Solar System 2. AGU 2015 Session 7905: A Decade's Obervance of a Habitable World 3. AGU 2015 Session 7990: Radar Investigations of Planetary Surfaces and Subsurfaces 4. AGU 2015 Session 8936: Magma Channelization Across the Solar System 5. NASA Postdoctoral Fellowships 6. [NASA] Release of the NASA Asteroid Redirect Mission Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST) Charter 7. NRC CubeSats Symposium 8. VEXAG Meeting #13 9. OPAG Announcement 10. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions Commercial Announcement: C1. Spaceflight Mechanics I 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 7784: MAGNETOSPHERES IN THE INNER SOLAR SYSTEM We encourage abstract submissions to session SM017, "Magnetospheres in the Inner Solar System," at the fall AGU meeting in San Francisco, December 14-18, 2015. The abstract submission deadline is Wednesday, August 5. Further details are given below. Conveners: Gina A. DiBraccio, Daniel J. Gershman, Marissa F. Vogt https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7784 The structure and dynamics of each planetary magnetosphere (intrinsic nd induced) in the inner solar system are driven by a unique set of factors including the nature of its magnetization, atmosphere- ionosphere coupling, and local solar wind parameters. To provide a forum for discussion of recent data analysis and modeling efforts concerning the inner planet magnetospheres, this session welcomes submissions on the intrinsic magnetospheres of Mercury and Earth, as well as the induced magnetospheres of Venus and Mars. It will focus on general magnetospheric processes including, but not limited to: solar wind-magnetosphere interaction, magnetosphere-ionosphere coupling, plasma acceleration and transport, magnetic reconnection, wave instabilities, magnetotail dynamics, and bow shock physics. We strongly encourage comparative studies of these inner solar system magnetospheres with each other or with other planetary magnetospheres throughout the solar system. 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 7905 - A DECADE'S OBSERVANCE OF A HABITABLE WORLD This year marks the 10th anniversary of the discovery of the geysering south polar terrain of Saturn's small icy moon, Enceladus, and ten years of routine observing and studying its activity from the Cassini spacecraft. Over the course of the last decade, it has become increasingly clear that Enceladus' geysers erupt from a large, long-lived, sub-ice-shell liquid water reservoir, chemically suitable for the sustenance of biological processes and directly accessible to sampling and analysis. And by the time this session is convened, two of the last 3 close, targeted flybys that Cassini will make of Enceladus will have been completed and the data available for presentation. In this session, we will focus on the most recent observational, theoretical and modeling results on the chemistry, state and dynamics of Enceladus' geysers, the moon's thermal and interior state, geologic activity, as well as its astrobiological potential. Come celebrate 10 phenomenal years with us in San Francisco! Deadline to submit an abstract: 5 August 2015, 11:59 P.M. EDT To submit abstracts to this session (ID#7905), visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7905 Chris McKay, Ames Research Center Carolyn Porco, Space Science Institute and UC Berkeley 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 7990: RADAR INVESTIGATIONS OF PLANETARY SURFACES AND SUBSURFACES Proposed and existing radar instruments are enabling an unprecedented range of radio geophysical observations of the surfaces and subsurfaces of solar system bodies. This has spurred the development and application of new instrumentation, processing, modeling, analysis, and interpretation approaches to planetary radar science and engineering. We invite abstracts on any topic involving the use of radar data to understand planetary bodies. These may describe (but are not limited to) new results from existing radar observations, the development and application of new observation or data processing techniques, numerical modeling of existing or future observations, and/or the analysis of airborne or orbital radar data from terrestrial analog studies for solar system observation. Invited presentations will be given by Donald Blankenship, Lorenzo Bruzzone, Alexander Hayes, and Jennifer Whitten. Please consider submitting an abstract for this session. For more information, visit: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm15/preliminaryview.cgi/Session7990 The submission deadline is August 5, 2015. Conveners: Wes Patterson (Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory) Dustin Schroeder (Jet Propulsion Laboratory) Lynn Carter (Goddard Space Flight Center) Cyril Grima (University of Texas at Austin) 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 AGU 2015 SESSION 8936: MAGMA CHANNELIZATION ACROSS THE SOLAR SYSTEM Please consider proposing to this session at the fall AGU Meeting. Convenors: David A. Williams (Arizona State University), Christopher Hamilton (University of Arizona), C. Michael Lesher (Laurentian University) Summary: Understanding magma emplacement mechanisms are important in volcanology, planetary science, and economic geology. On Earth, much work is being done to understand better how magma emplacement is focused in channels, tubes, and conduits, and the relative roles of construction vs. thermo-mechanical erosion in their formation. On Earth, it is clear that most magmatic Ni-Cu-PGE deposits and some Cr deposits occur in lava channels and magma conduits, so they also have important economic implications. And across the Solar System, new data from NASA missions continues to reveal more detailed morphological and compositional information about extraterrestrial lava flows. We propose this session to bring together terrestrial and planetary volcanologists and economic geologists to review the latest results from our various studies, and to identify topics that would benefit from future collaboration and joint research. The abstract submission site is now open. Please submit your abstracts by Wednesday, 5 August 23:59 EDT/03:59 +1 GMT. 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, astrophysics, planetary science, astrobiology, space bioscience, aeronautics and engineering, human exploration and operations, and space technology. An example of one of the research opportunities in planetary science is: https://www3.orau.gov/NPDoc/Catalog/18715 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/1UA7aHs 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] RELEASE OF THE NASA ASTEROID REDIRECT MISSION FORMULATION ASSESSMENT AND SUPPORT TEAM (FAST) CHARTER The NASA Asteroid Redirect Mission team has posted a Formulation Assessment and Support Team (FAST) charter to supplement the FAST Membership Call that was issued earlier this month. The Membership Call and the Charter are available at: http://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary.do?method =init&solId={A680142F-8F79-93C8-CED4-644C30C5F31A}&path=open 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 NRC CUBESATS SYMPOSIUM The NRC Committee on Achieving Science Goals with CubeSats is hosting a community symposium on September 2-3 at the Beckman Center in Irvine, CA, to explore the feasibility of obtaining high-priority science data using CubeSats. The symposium will feature a series of panel discussions among scientists and technologists in the areas of Earth science, solar and space physics (heliophysics), planetary science, astronomy and astrophysics, as well as technology that enables CubeSats, technology development enabled by CubeSats, and industry capabilities. The panels will explore science goals, how these goals could be achieved using CubeSats, and the potential for new science that is enabled by CubeSats. These discussions will be framed by current CubeSat technological capabilities and those anticipated in the near future. The Committee is also soliciting posters as critical inputs to the symposium that will be displayed at a poster session. Posters should be targeted to one or more of the following: current CubeSat missions and science results, CubeSat mission concepts, or technology that enables CubeSat science missions. Of particular interest are posters concerning CubeSat-enabled microgravity science. More information, registration instructions, and poster title submission are available here: http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_167274 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 VEXAG MEETING #13 Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG) meeting #13 will be held on Tuesday-Thursday, October 27-29, 2015, at James Webb Auditorium, NASA Headquarters, Washington DC. A preliminary agenda is available at the VEXAG Web-Site: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/vexag/ Tuesday - 27 October 2015 - NASA and mission reports Wednesday - 28 October 2015 - Venus science and technology reports Thursday - 29 October 2015 - VEXAG activities (adjourn at mid-day) Presentations on Venus science and technologies for Venus missions are invited. If interested, contact Lori Glaze and Patricia Beauchamp (lori.s.glaze@nasa.gov, and Patricia.M.Beauchamp@jpl.nasa.gov). If you'll be attending in person and haven't done so already, please enter your name on the Meeting Registration /Intent to Attend Form on the VEXAG Web-Site: https://www.hou.usra.edu/meeting_portal/registration /index.cfm?mtg=vexag2015_fall 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 OPAG ANNOUNCEMENT The next OPAG meeting will be 24-26 August at JHU/APL. The agenda is posted on the OPAG homepage. Registration is now open - the link is on the OPAG homepage: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/opag/ All logistical instructions are posted at this registration link. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 PHD STUDENT AT THE UNIVERSITY OF HELSINKI A 4-year PhD position in impact modeling is open at the Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Finland as a part of the Academy of Finland funded project entitled: "Composition of dark asteroids - are asteroid collisions responsible for observed compositional mismatch in main asteroid belt?"ยจ Requirements: - MSc or equivalent in geology, (geo)physics, or planetary science no later than September 1, 2015. - Fluent English. - Previous numerical modeling experience. - Experience with impact modeling and knowledge of iSALE code is an advantage. Benefits: - Work in a young enthusiastic team at one of the leading Nordic universities. - Opportunity to conduct state-of-art research in planetary science. - Full social benefits according to the Finnish social care system. - Salary in the range of EUR 2500-2900. How to apply: Send the following items to PI Tomas Kohout (tomas.kohout@helsinki.fi) no later than August 2, 2015: - Motivation letter describing your research interests and previous study/research history. - CV and publication list. - Copy of MSc thesis and MSc diploma. Successful candidate will be informed latest August 6. The appointment will start on September 1, 2015. 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 MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html August 10-12, 2015 International Conference on Space Science and Communication (IconSpace) http://www.globaleventslist.elsevier.com/events/2015/08 /international-conference-on-space-science-and-communication-iconspace/ Langkawi, Malaysia September 2-3, 2015 NRC CubeSats Symposium http://sites.nationalacademies.org/SSB/SSB_167274 Irvine, CA September 21-25, 2015 3rd International Workshop on Microbial Life Under Extreme Energy Limitation http://microenergy2015.org Sonderborg, Denmark September 28 - October 2, 2015 Astrobiology and Planetary Atmospheres http://www.eso.org/sci/meetings/2015/AstroBio2015.html Santiago, Chile October 5, 2015 Astrobiology Graduates in Europe (AbGradE) Mission Design Workshop http://www.eana-net.eu/AbGradE/abgrade2015.html Noordwijk, The Netherlands October 6-9, 2015 15th EANA Astrobiology Conference http://www.eana-net.eu/Conferences/EANA2015.html Noordwijk, The Netherlands November 5-6, 2015 Second Off-Earth Mining Forum http://www.futuremining2015.ausimm.com.au Sydney, Australia November 9-13, 2015 Reconceptualizing the Origin of Life: Experimental, Interdisciplinary, and Computational Windows on the Core Concepts https://carnegiescience.edu/events/lectures /re-conceptualizing-origin-life Washington, DC January 12-15, 2016 4th ELSI Symposium - Three Experiments in Biological Origins: Early Earth, Venus and Mars http://www.elsi.jp/en/research/activities/symposium/2016/01 /sympo-04.html Tokyo, Japan January 17-22, 2016 2016 Gordon Research Conference & Seminar "Origins of Life" http://www.grc.org/programs.aspx?id=14007 Galveston, TX July 10-12, 2016 Astrobiology Australasia Meeting 2016 http://www.aa-meeting2016.com Perth, Australia [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 SPACEFLIGHT MECHANICS I For those wanting to include basic space mission design in their teaching courses, the interactive volume "Spaceflight Mechanics I" is available as an interactive e-Book on the iBook store. This book on spaceflight mechanics has been compiled for interested students of the engineering, mechanics, physics, and computer science fields. To follow its contents students will need basic understanding of differential analysis and vector algebra. The book can be used alongside lectures on the astrodynamics, as a tutorial on the matter, as well as a reference to often needed equations and methods. The link can be found on: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/spaceflight-mechanics-i /id1001301795?ls=1&mt=11 "Spaceflight Mechanics I" has 176 pages, many illustrations, interactive 3D graphics, and exercises. It features many links to publicly available information on the internet. Markus Landgraf *********************************************************************** * 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. All editorial work is * volunteer. **********************************************************************