PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 12, Number 25 (June 17, 2018) PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org Editor: Karen R. Stockstill-Cahill Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Elisabeth Adams Email: pen_editor@psi.edu o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] Request for Information on the Availability of Potential Lunar Payloads 2. [NASA] Draft Cooperative Agreement Notice for New SSERVI Teams Released 3. International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions 4. ESA Research Fellowships in Space Sciences 5. Fall AGU Special Session P011 - Comparative Planetology and the Solar System as a Gateway to the Exoplanets 6. Fall AGU Special Session P060 - Venus: The Origin and Fate of Earthlike Planets? Big Questions of the World Next Door 7. Fall AGU Special Session P012 - Concepts for Future Planetary Science Missions 8. Fall AGU Special Session P054 - The Use of Analog Environments in Preparing for the Exploration and Characterization of Planetary Surfaces 9. Postdoctoral Researcher, Source Location of Martian Meteorites 10. 1st Information Circular for Virtual MEPAG Meeting 11. Reminder: Register for Cassini Science Symposium and Hotels 12. Seats Still Available for Software Systems for Astronomy 5 13. 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 [NASA] REQUEST FOR INFORMATION ON THE AVAILABILITY OF POTENTIAL LUNAR PAYLOADS NASA's Science Mission Directorate has released a Request for Information (RFI) to assess availability of potential lunar payloads. NASA has recently released a draft RFP for Commercial Lunar Payload Services to provide end-to-end services for payloads to the lunar surface; this RFI is seeking information about potential payloads for these landers. Responses to this RFI are sought broadly from U.S. industry, universities, non-profit organizations, NASA centers, and other U.S. government agencies, and will be used by NASA to further inform planning and acquisition strategy development. To be ready for launches as early as 2019, NASA is requesting information as to the availability of existing hardware that can be used for flight with little to no payload development necessary. Existing hardware that respondents should consider in responding to this RFI include, but are not limited to: engineering models, flight spares, modified off-the-shelf instruments, etc. Responses to this RFI are due via NSPIRES by June 27, 2018. Full text of the RFI, including instructions for submitting a response, can be accessed at: https://nspires.nasaprs.com/external/solicitations/summary!init.do? solId=%7b929BA1D5-2A48-F7FE-261A-BD878F3338F9%7d&path=open Questions regarding this RFI may be addressed to Dr. Sarah Noble, HQ-LunarPayloadRFI@mail.nasa.gov. [Edited for length.] 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] DRAFT COOPERATIVE AGREEMENT NOTICE FOR NEW SSERVI TEAMS RELEASED NASA, through the release of a Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN), is announcing an opportunity for the submission of multi-institutional team-based proposals for research as participating members of the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI). Proposals must clearly articulate an innovative research program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to understanding the nature of the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and the near space environments of these bodies, to enable eventual human exploration of these destinations. Although SSERVI will continue to support research addressing all of these potential human exploration destinations, in light of the administration's focus on returning to the Moon, as well as the near-term opportunities that will be provided by the burgeoning commercial lunar industry, proposals which address these near-term lunar needs and opportunities will be given preference. Proposed research that complements current CAN-2 Institute Teams, and/or addresses important research areas not currently covered in the Institute, will be given strong consideration (http://sservi.nasa.gov/sserviteams/). Comments on this DRAFT CAN are to be submitted by July 3, 2018 via email to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov. For more information: https://bit.ly/2sYueJh 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 INTERNATIONAL WORKSHOP ON INSTRUMENTATION FOR PLANETARY MISSIONS The 4th International Workshop on Instrumentation for Planetary Missions (IPM-2018) will take place in Berlin, Germany, Sep 12-14, 2018. The purpose of the workshop is to provide a forum for collaboration, exchange of ideas and information. It will compose a broad survey of the current state-of-the-art and emerging capabilities in instrumentation available for future planetary missions. We look forward to seeing you there! More at: https://ipm2018.org/ 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 ESA RESEARCH FELLOWSHIPS IN SPACE SCIENCES These fellowships provide scientists in their early career, holding a PhD or the equivalent degree, with the means of performing research in fields related to the ESA Science Programme. Areas of research include planetary science, astronomy and astrophysics, solar and solar-terrestrial science, plasma physics and fundamental physics. The two-year fellowships may be extended to three years and are tenable at the European Space Research and Technology Centre or at the European Space Astronomy Centre. Applications are now solicited for fellowships beginning in fall 2019. Preference will be given to applications submitted by candidates in an early stage of their career. Candidates not holding a PhD yet are encouraged to apply, but they must provide evidence of receiving their degree before starting the fellowship. ESA fellows are enrolled in ESA's Social Security Scheme, which covers medical expenses. A monthly deduction covers these short-term and long-term risks. Application deadline: 1 October 2018. More information on the ESA Research Fellowship programme at: http://cosmos.esa.int/fellowship Questions on the scientific aspects not answered in the above pages can be sent to Dr. Oliver Jennrich or Dr. Bruno Altieri at fellowship@cosmos.esa.int. [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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION P011 - COMPARATIVE PLANETOLOGY AND THE SOLAR SYSTEM AS A GATEWAY TO THE EXOPLANETS Session Description: Comparative planetology is the study of planetary processes, their manifestations, and their effects on multiple bodies. The discipline often uses Earth as a baseline to understand the evolutionary pathways, similarities, and differences between the planets orbiting our Sun, but nearly every planet within our own solar system provides a unique point study or baseline for different classes of exoplanets around other stars. The study of the rocky worlds of our inner solar system, the Jovian giants, the ice giants, and the ice-world dwarfs and moons of the outer system each give us context, and improve our understanding of the distant condensed signals we receive from the different methods of exoplanet detection. This special session will explore what the study of our own, more accessible planets can bring to the observations, analysis, and modeling of planets around other stars. Session Conveners: Noam Izenberg and Kathy Mandt, Applied Physics Laboratory Abstract Deadline - August 1, 2018, 11:59 PM EDT 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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION P060 - VENUS: THE ORIGIN AND FATE OF EARTHLIKE PLANETS? BIG QUESTIONS OF THE WORLD NEXT DOOR Session Description: Venus records the origin and fate of habitable planets in our solar system and beyond, but fundamental questions remain about Earth's Sister Planet from the rate of current volcanism, to the dominant form of tectonics, to the nature of atmospheric processes. Evidence suggests early Venus sustained liquid surface water, but its past and possibly present habitability are open questions. Recent Venus missions focusing on atmospheric processes have revealed a trove of information about Venusian atmosphere circulation and cloud dynamics, but questions about the deep atmosphere, surface, and interior and their interactions over time - remain unanswered. This session focuses on the current state of knowledge of Venus atmosphere including escape, circulation, clouds, habitability, deep atmosphere and chemistry; surface processes including volcanism and tectonics; and interior processes. Abstracts are encouraged to explore questions in need of new data, and the nature of those data. Conveners Noam Izenberg, Applied Physics Laboratory and Adriana Ocampo, NASA Headquarters Abstract Deadline - August 1, 2018, 11:59 PM EDT 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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION P012 - CONCEPTS FOR FUTURE PLANETARY SCIENCE MISSIONS We are convening an AGU Fall Meeting session focusing on innovative concepts for future planetary science missions. Note that this session covers mission concepts of all sizes, types, and planetary targets, and from all countries and institutions. We encourage you to submit an abstract to this session in the Planetary Sciences section. The submission link is: https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/prelim.cgi/Session/52773 The deadline is Wednesday, 1 August 23:59 EDT. Note that this session is listed as an eLightning session, but if we receive enough abstracts, a traditional oral or poster component may also be allocated to this session. The session format at the meeting will consist of two parts. The first part will be 3-minute lightning presentation for each presenter followed by group discussion or general Q&A. The second part will be time for individual presenters to hold more in-depth discussions with attendees at their assigned touchscreen monitor. For more information about the eLightning format, please see this link: https://fallmeeting.agu.org/2018/elightning/ Thanks in advance, and we look forward to seeing you at AGU! Best, Morgan, Melissa and Conor Morgan L. Cable (JPL) Melissa G. Trainer (GSFC) Conor A. Nixon (GSFC) [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 FALL AGU SPECIAL SESSION P054 - THE USE OF ANALOG ENVIRONMENTS IN PREPARING FOR THE EXPLORATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF PLANETARY SURFACES AGU Fall Meeting Session Announcement: P054: The Use of Analog Environments in Preparing for the Exploration and Characterization of Planetary Surfaces https://agu.confex.com/agu/fm18/prelim.cgi/Session/49542 It has long been established that terrestrial analog environments are useful in preparing for future planetary surface exploration. Analog sites provide a platform for understanding Solar System processes, technology and procedure development for future exploration, and astronaut crew training. This session will focus on this wide range of uses for terrestrial analog sites in preparation for the exploration of other planetary surfaces. Remote sensing, modeling, field, and laboratory studies are welcome, as are studies that focus on the human or robotic exploration of other planetary bodies. Scientific, operational, and technologic abstracts are encouraged. Please note that this session is formatted as an alternate style session so we are soliciting both 5-minute and 15-minute talks. Please contact the primary convener at kelsey.e.young@nasa.gov with any questions. The abstract submission site is now open and the deadline for all submissions is Wednesday, 1 August 23:59 EDT. 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 POSTDOCTORAL RESEARCHER, SOURCE LOCATION OF MARTIAN METEORITES Applications are open for a 12 month post-doctoral position at the Natural History Museum London, working on source locations for martian meteorites. The successful applicant will join a large science group that comprises a group of approximately 300 scientists. Applications are encouraged from researchers in the field of meteoritics and planetary sciences, or a related field. Areas of particular interest include (but are not restricted to): - Mars science, including use of orbital or rover data - Hyperspectral data processing and analysis - Spectral unmixing techniques - Mineralogy and geochemistry of martian meteorites - Machine learning Appointees will join the Division of Mineral and Planetary Sciences that sits in the Department of Earth Sciences. The appointee will report to Dr Peter Grindrod, Research Leader at the NHM, and will be part of the growing Planetary Surfaces Group, with involvement in the ExoMars 2016 Trace Gas Orbiter and 2020 Rover missions. Salary: 34,958 pounds per annum plus benefits Contract: Fixed term, 12 months Closing date: 9am on Friday 31 August 2018 For a full job description and to submit an application, please visit the Natural History Museum website. https://careers.nhm.ac.uk/templates/CIPHR/jobdetail_1508.aspx 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 1ST INFORMATION CIRCULAR FOR VIRTUAL MEPAG MEETING Members of the Mars community, I cordially invite you to participate in the second 2018 virtual meeting (VM2) of the Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG), scheduled on Monday, June 25th, 2018, at 2:00-4:00 pm EDT. Presentations at this virtual meeting are expected to include developments regarding MEP plans for Mars Sample Return, the recent revisions proposed within the MEPAG Goals Document, and reports from recent Mars-focused conferences. Additionally, recent and upcoming MEPAG activities and studies will be discussed. The draft agenda and Adobe Connect information are included in the 1st Circular, which will be posted on the MEPAG meeting website: http://mepag.nasa.gov/meetings.cfm The meeting is open to all members of the Mars science community including our international colleagues. I look forward to your participation. Sincerely, Dr. Jeffrey R. Johnson MEPAG Chair 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 REMINDER: REGISTER FOR CASSINI SCIENCE SYMPOSIUM AND HOTELS Dear colleagues, We'd like to remind you to register and get hotels for the Cassini Project's final Cassini Science Symposium August 12-17 at the University of Colorado in Boulder. 29 June: Early registration deadline - $300 (Students $150) 30 June: Late registration begins - $400 3 August: Cancellation deadline (last day for refunds) Please go to the website to register, sign up for events, and get hotel information: http://lasp.colorado.edu/home/2018-cassini-science-symposium/ Hotel courtesy rates were offered while space is available, and the Millennium and Boulderado may already be booked up. See the hotel pages for more information. The website includes the revised program, logistics and presentation guidelines. The symposium includes a reception Sunday evening before the sessions, a public talk Tuesday evening, and a banquet on Wednesday for those who are interested. Invited and contributed talks will include the latest Cassini findings on the Saturn system, including the interpretation and synthesis of results. Sessions will cover the following disciplines: Rings, Icy Satellites, Titan, Magnetospheres and Saturn. This Symposium can serve as a springboard for future studies and space missions. We hope to see you there. Larry W. Esposito Chair, Symposium Organizing Committee 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 Seats Still Available for Software Systems for Astronomy 5 SSfA at UH Hawaii - 4 seats available - This year we so far have 18 students and therefore plan two sessions for Software Systems for Astronomy 5 on the Big Island of Hawaii. This leaves 4 seats still available. SSfA covers software design and implementation of telescope and instrument control systems, observation planning tools, and software for analyzing and archiving astronomical data. SSfA-5 will be offered as a two week intensive course, 23 Jul to 03 Aug, 2018. Please find special instructions for off-island participants here: http://astro.uhh.hawaii.edu/Summer/Summer-2018/ssfa18.php# Special_Summer_Note More information about Software Systems for Astronomy 5 is here: http://astro.uhh.hawaii.edu/Summer/Summer-2018/ssfa18.php More detail about the course is given in the UHH catalog (the course number is 385): https://hilo.hawaii.edu/catalog/astr-courses If you have questions, send email to aconrad@hawaii.edu 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 17-20, 2019 From Stars to Planets II - Connecting our Understanding of Star and Planet Formation http://cosmicorigins.space/fstpii Gothenburg, Sweden [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@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@psi.edu * * To unsubscribe, send an email to pen_editor@psi.edu * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor@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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