PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 19, Number 51 (December 21, 2025) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Matthew R Perry Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Alex Morgan Email: pen_editor@psi.edu X: @pen2tweets Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Open Letter to Administrator Isaacman in Support of VERITAS and DAVINCI 2. Save the Date: Planetary Science Community Workshop 3. Save the Date: European Lunar Symposium (ELS) 4. Spring School: Tracking the Evolution of Planetary Systems and Planets 5. Laboratory Astrophysics Newsletter 6. [EGU26] Session PS5.2: Early Solar System - Crucial Timings for Habitability 7. [EGU26] Session PS6.2: Planetary and Stellar Parameters Conducive to Habitability and Biosignature Observability 8. [AbSciCon 2026] Session 48: Salty Goodness III - Revenge of the Brines 9. [AbSciCon 2026] Session 57: Reimagining Planetary Protection for Mars Exploration 10. [AbSciCon 2026] Session 80: My Precious - Towards an Astrobiology Sample Repository (and Sample Reference Suite) 11. [AbSciCon 2026] Session 90: Mechanisms for the Prebiotic Emergence of Homochirality and Implications for Life Detection 12. [NASA] SMD: ROSES-25 Amendment 31 - F.10 PRISM Additional Required Content 13. [NASA] SMD: Announcement of Intent to Add a New Program Element to ROSES-2025 14. [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 64 15. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 16. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 17. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers Commercial/Fundraising Announcements: C1. Announcing the Skyscape Academy 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 OPEN LETTER TO ADMINISTRATOR ISAACMAN IN SUPPORT OF VERITAS AND DAVINCI The VERITAS and DAVINCI missions are seriously threatened by the current budgetary uncertainty at NASA and face cancellation. We have drafted an open letter to the new NASA Administrator, Jared Isaacman, urgently asking that he work with Congress to secure sufficient funding for both of these competitively selected missions to launch in the early 2030s. This letter will be sent to Administrator Isaacman early in the new year. You can read it here: https://tinyurl.com/OpenLetterVenus We ask for your support by co-signing this letter. To do so, please complete this form: https://tinyurl.com/SignOpenLetterVenus Thank you! (Organized by Paul Byrne, Debra Buczkowski, Tracy Gregg, Noam Izenberg, and Sue Smrekar) 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 SAVE THE DATE: PLANETARY SCIENCE COMMUNITY WORKSHOP There will be a community-led, grassroots-organized planetary science meeting at the Kentucky Science Center on Tuesday through Thursday, April 14-16, 2026. This will be an opportunity for the planetary science community to gather to share science results, discuss pressing issues facing our field, and develop plans for how to prioritize, organize, and advocate in the face of rapidly changing budget, policy, workforce, and technology environments. All topics with direct relevance to planetary science are welcome and solicited, including those related to science, missions, technology, workforce, DEIA, policy, tools, and training. Registration and abstract submission will open shortly. To stay updated, and to volunteer to serve on the Science Organizing Committee, please follow this link: https://tinyurl.com/PSCWForm Co-organizers: Paul Byrne (paul.byrne@wustl.edu) and Chase Million (chase@millionconcepts.com) 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 SAVE THE DATE: EUROPEAN LUNAR SYMPOSIUM (ELS) The next European Lunar Symposium (ELS) will take place at the Aquarium Museum of Nancy, Nancy, France, from June 21-26, 2026. The meeting is planned mainly as an in-person event with the possibility of remote presentations only under extenuating circumstances, so please plan your participation accordingly. For additional info: https://sservi.nasa.gov/els2026/ To plan logistics and catering, please complete the 'Indication of Interest' form by January 31, 2026, via the link below: https://sservi.nasa.gov/els2026/interest 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 SPRING SCHOOL: TRACKING THE EVOLUTION OF PLANETARY SYSTEMS AND PLANETS This school will be taking place from 15-22 April 2026 at Liblice Castle, Czech Republic. It aims to give attendees a thorough introduction into the formation of protoplanetary disks, planetary systems and planets with the focus on observational, experimental and theoretical methods to investigate the associated processes. Bursaries are available for early career scientists from most European countries (not only from EU countries) covering the vast majority of costs for meals and accommodation are available. The lectures will cover the following programme points: - Main physical and chemical processes in the evolution of protoplanetary disks - Molecules and the dynamic evolution of discs - The role of grains and ices in protoplanetary disks - Observations of grains and ices in disks - Formation of planets via accretion - Planet-disc interaction - Molecular abundance in protoplanetary discs - Laboratory methods investigating chemical processes under planet formation - Modelling of reaction networks in planet formation - Evolution and chemistry of exoplanet atmospheres - Architecture of exoplanetary systems Application deadline is 15 January 2026. For more information, please visit: https://tinyurl.com/y8c7m522 [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 LABORATORY ASTROPHYSICS NEWSLETTER Check out the new Laboratory Astrophysics Newsletter, whose goal is to enhance communication and interactions between experimentalists, theoreticians, modelers, and observers in the fields of Astrophysics and Planetary Science around the world. The Laboratory Astrophysics Newsletter is intended to be released quarterly. Each issue will focus on a particular theme in the Laboratory Astrophysics field and include sections such as a cover image, a scientist interview, a description of facilities, recent publications in the field, and/or announcements for upcoming meetings. The theme of the first issue is Cold Solar System Objects. You can find it at: https://www.nasa.gov/ames/science/laboratory-astrophysics-newsletter/ In future issues, we look forward to featuring various Laboratory Astrophysics themes and include interviews of scientists and presentations of facilities around the world. We welcome contributions. You can share publications and announcements through our contribution form, and join our mailing list or contact us at labastronewsletter@mail.nasa.gov. Keep an eye out for our next issue, in March 2026, and please let us know what you would like future themes to be or if you would like to contribute! 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 [EGU26] SESSION PS5.2: EARLY SOLAR SYSTEM - CRUCIAL TIMINGS FOR HABITABILITY Please consider submitting an abstract to the Early Solar System: Crucial Timings for Habitability session (PS5.2) at the EGU General Assembly 2026 (held 3-8 May 2026 in Vienna). This session is dedicated to studies of the divergent evolution of the three planets and the role played by the Sun. We aim to provide a synergetic view of the evolution of the Earth, Venus, and Mars, with contributions on planetary interiors and magnetic dynamos, and atmospheres' formation and escape being equally welcome. We focus on several main topics relevant for formation of habitable conditions: - The evolution of the composition of the atmospheres of Earth, Venus, and Mars, and the role played by volcanic outgassing and planetary dynamos; - Influence of the atmospheric escape to space from upper atmospheres on surface conditions; - Evolving climates and possible past habitability windows for Mars and Venus. Session details: https://tinyurl.com/ypjm29jj Abstract instructions: https://www.egu26.eu/authors/how-to-submit.html The abstract deadline is 15 January 2026 (13:00 CET). 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 [EGU26] SESSION PS6.2: PLANETARY AND STELLAR PARAMETERS CONDUCIVE TO HABITABILITY AND BIOSIGNATURE OBSERVABILITY The session PS6.2 (Planetary and Stellar Parameters Conducive to Habitability and Biosignature Observability) at the EGU General Assembly 2026 (held 3-8 May 2026 in Vienna) is currently open for abstract submission. Please consider contributing! The goal of this session is to establish synergy between the theoretical and observational aspects of the search for habitable exoplanet atmospheres. We welcome contributions related to: - Which rocky planets can retain observable atmospheres? - Which factors can influence observations (e.g., clouds, hazes, surface conditions...)? - Under which combinations of planetary and stellar parameters could worlds be habitable? - Which biomarkers are observable (with current or upcoming instruments)? - How can biosignatures be distinguished from false positives? - What instrumental capabilities are needed to make these observations? Session details: https://tinyurl.com/mnbsm24z Abstract instructions: https://www.egu26.eu/authors/how-to-submit.html The abstract deadline is 15 January 2026 (13:00 CET). 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 [ABSCICON 2026] SESSION 48: SALTY GOODNESS III: REVENGE OF THE BRINES Abstract Deadline: 23:59 EST/03:59 UTC on 14 January 2026. Session Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/275702 Salty aqueous solutions (i.e., brines) challenge the limits of life, requiring biology to adapt to extreme ionic strengths, chaotropic stressors, and low water activities. Despite these conditions, brine environments on Earth can support microbial communities, as such, brines remain among the most compelling targets for astrobiology, from the oceans and ice shells of Europa and Enceladus to the evaporitic deposits and putative subsurface brines on Mars and Ceres. In Salty Goodness I, we focused on habitability; in Salty Goodness II, we highlighted biosuitability. In Salty Goodness III, we turn to the system-level science of brines, with a focus on bridging disciplines. We invite abstracts that: (1) connect environmental parameters with biological responses; (2) examine brines as evolving systems that couple geochemistry, mineralogy, and biology; (3) apply Earth analog studies to planetary contexts; and (4) link habitability-biosuitability understanding to biosignature searches and the design of mission instrumentation. 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 [ABSCICON 2026] SESSION 57: REIMAGINING PLANETARY PROTECTION FOR MARS EXPLORATION Abstract Deadline: 23:59 EST/03:59 UTC on 14 January 2026. Session Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/275870 Planetary protection's mandate has served to protect other worlds and our own from the potential dangers of forward and back contamination, putting in place guidelines for missions until such time as the knowledge existed on how to safely, and ethically, look for life beyond Earth. Since Viking, our understanding of life has significantly increased as has our ability to understand contamination potential, develop cleanliness protocols, and implement mitigations to address forward contamination. The Phoenix lander remains the only mission to ever have accessed a special region on Mars: ahead of future Mars missions we believe that a paradigm shift on how we approach planetary protection is necessary. We welcome interdisciplinary contributions that tackle the first order principles of what constitutes "harmful" contamination, probability models dealing with growth and survival, as well as technological advances that would allow us to change how we approach spacecraft sterilization. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 [ABSCICON 2026] SESSION 80: MY PRECIOUS - TOWARDS AN ASTROBIOLOGY SAMPLE REPOSITORY (AND SAMPLE REFERENCE SUITE) Abstract Deadline: 23:59 EST/03:59 UTC on 14 January 2026. Session Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/275878 The study of planetary analog samples has expanded our knowledge of what life is capable of, and importantly, how to conduct biosignature detections within compositionally complex samples, aiding in the development of life detection instrumentation. And yet, the full potential of these samples remains untapped, where samples located in laboratories across the country, with varying degrees of documentation and contamination control, and lacking any formal mechanism for collaboration. One of the biggest actions we could take to change the status quo of how we conduct planetary analog research, would be the creation of a sample repository for Astrobiology relevant materials: providing a centralized, well-curated, wealth of precious samples for the community, and support the development of a standardized sample reference suite for life detection instrumentation. We welcome contributions describing existing sample repositories in the community, as well as efforts and challenges surrounding the creation of sample reference suites. 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 [ABSCICON 2026] SESSION 90: MECHANISMS FOR THE PREBIOTIC EMERGENCE OF HOMOCHIRALITY AND IMPLICATIONS FOR LIFE DETECTION Abstract Deadline: 23:59 EST/03:59 UTC on 14 January 2026. Session Link: https://agu.confex.com/agu/abscicon26/prelim.cgi/Session/277030 Homochirality is a fundamental characteristic of life on Earth, yet the processes that led to its origin remain unresolved in astrobiology and origins-of-life research. The mechanisms behind its emergence, amplification, and persistence are also central to developing strategies for life detection beyond Earth. This session will explore range of mechanisms proposed to explain the emergence of homochirality in life, including (1) processes that may have occurred prior to the formation of the Solar System, (2) during parent body accretion and alteration, and (3) on the abiotic/prebiotic Earth. We especially encourage contributions that connect insights from origins-of-life studies with approaches to life detection. This session welcomes contributions from theoretical, experimental, observational, and field-based approaches. 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 [NASA] SMD: ROSES-25 AMENDMENT 31 - F.10 PRISM ADDITIONAL REQUIRED CONTENT F.10 Payloads and Research Investigations on the Surface of the Moon (PRISM) solicits development and flight of a science-driven suite of instruments and supporting technology demonstration payloads tailored to complete scientific investigations at a lunar landing destination, that address the science goals of 1) any SMD division, e.g., Planetary Science, Earth Science, Heliophysics, Astrophysics, and Biological and Physical Sciences, 2) objectives of the Exploration Systems Development Mission Directorate (ESDMD), and 3) any technology demonstration goals of the Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) that advance capabilities for science, exploration, or commercial development of the Moon. ROSES-2025 Amendment 31 adds two additional items under subsection 2.4.2.4 "Additional Required Content": - a required Safety and Mission Assurance plan, and an optional extended Master Equipment List and/or Power Equipment List. New text is in bold. The due date remains unchanged: Step-2 proposals are now due February 20, 2026. Updated FAQs have also been posted under other documents on the NSPIRES page for F.10 PRISM. For more information, visit: https://go.nasa.gov/prism25 Questions concerning F.10 PRISM may be directed to Ryan Watkins and Amanda Nahm at HQ-PRISM@mail.nasa.gov. [Edited for length] 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 [NASA] SMD: ANNOUNCEMENT OF INTENT TO ADD A NEW PROGRAM ELEMENT TO ROSES-2025 NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) through the Mars Exploration Program (MEP) intends to add a new program element under the Planetary Science Division (PSD) in the ROSES-2025 solicitation entitled Science Transport & Robotic Innovation for Deployment and Exploration (STRIDE). This program will solicit proposals from U.S. industry to conduct design studies of advanced robotic surface and aerial mobility systems with payload transportation and deployment capability for Mars surface operations. These studies will inform the future development of commercial robotic systems that are Mars-environment capable and able to traverse challenging terrain to deliver science payloads across the Martian surface. The goal of the program element is to identify commercial systems that can operate in Martian environments while enabling cost-effective transportation and/or deployment of science payloads. This notice is issued for planning purposes only and does not constitute a solicitation. No proposals are being accepted currently. Points of Contact Erica Montbach (HQ-STRIDE@mail.nasa.gov) and Shana Faris (shana.n.faris@nasa.gov) Questions regarding this future opportunity should be directed to the Points of Contact listed on the official NSPIRES program page once posted. [Edited for length] 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 [NASA] PDS: LUNAR RECONNAISSANCE ORBITER DATA RELEASE 64 The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 64 of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This release contains raw, calibrated, and derived data products covering the nominal time period from June 15 through September 14, 2025. Some instrument teams are delivering more recent data. The data are archived at various PDS nodes. - CRaTER at the PPI Node - Diviner at the Geosciences Node - LAMP at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node - LEND at the Geosciences Node - LOLA at the Geosciences Node - LROC at the LROC Data Node - Mini-RF at the Geosciences Node - Radio Science at the Geosciences Node - SPICE at the NAIF Node The data may be accessed from: https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/lro Or for a dataset-oriented perspective: https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20251215.shtml Note that the release of Diviner, LAMP, and SPICE data is delayed. LRO releases occur every three months. The next release is scheduled for March 13, 2026. 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online components. Check their websites for details. Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html April 14-16, 2026 Planetary Science Community Workshop https://tinyurl.com/PSCWForm Louisville, KY June 21-26, 2026 European Lunar Symposium https://sservi.nasa.gov/els2026/ Nancy, France 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Faith Vilas https://psj.aas.org VD-accelerated T-matrix Method for Simulation of Scattering by Electrically Large Sphere Clusters and ISAR Imaging of Asteroid-like Bodies Zhanyang Weng et al. 2025 PSJ 6:290 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae200f Evaluating Lunar Crater Ejecta Maturation across Wavelengths Angela M. Stickle et al. 2025 PSJ 6:291 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae1c39 Doomed Worlds. II. Reassessing Suggestions of Orbital Decay for TrES-5b Marvin Rothmeier et al. 2025 PSJ 6:292 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae1b9c Influence of Magnetosonic Waves on the Venusian Ionosphere: The Role of Electron Landau Heating Nigang Liu et al. 2025 PSJ 6:293 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae230c Survival of Asteroid-sized Debris from the Moon-forming Impactor in Earth's Deep Mantle with Implications for Its Solar System Provenance Qian Yuan 2025 PSJ 6:294 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae1cbf Evidence of Possible Spectral Variability in the Patroclus-Menoetius Binary System Ian Wong et al. 2025 PSJ 6:295 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae2750 Snowball Bistability Vanishes at Moderate Orbital Eccentricity Xuan Ji and Dorian S. Abbot 2025 PSJ 6:296 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae201c 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: PLANETS - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access (OA) Papers Editors-in-Chief, Amanda Hendrix & Debra Buczkowski https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699100 Oscillatory Loading in Ice Friction Experiments: Implications for Tidally Driven Activity Along the Tiger Stripes of Enceladus Maheenuz Zaman et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009406 Radiation Transport Through the Martian Atmosphere as a Function of the Zenith Angle Salman Khaksari et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009352 Phyllosilicate Infrared Spectral Features as Tracers of Aqueous Alteration in CM Chondrites and Implications for Remote Sensing of Hydrated Asteroids W. M. Lawrence & B. L. Ehlmann https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009377 Mid-Infrared Spectroscopy of Lunar High-Ti Basaltic Glassy Analogues C. P. Haupt et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2024JE008895 Fluid Flow at the Top of Jupiter's Dynamo Region S. Sharan, M. A. Pais, H. Amit, B. Langlais https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009024 *********************************************************************** COMMERCIAL/FUNDRAISING 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 ANNOUNCING THE SKYSCAPE ACADEMY We are delighted to announce the launch of The Skyscape Academy, a new online platform offering accessible, inspiring, and rigorous courses on the study of ancient societies and the sky. Our classes are designed for both the curious learner and those wishing a thorough academic program. Humans have always looked upward. Across cultures and through time, the sky has shaped our sense of rhythm, orientation, and identity. The relationship between people and the skyscape is inherently interdisciplinary, drawing on archaeology, anthropology, art history, astronomy, religious studies, and beyond. Our courses for 2026 span a range of offerings, taught as online courses which can be accessed live or asynchronously. All courses are taught to a rigorous academic standard while remaining accessible. Most require no prior astronomical or archaeological knowledge. For those wishing to train as archaeoastronomers or skyscape archaeologists themselves, we also offer a 15-month full training program that includes extended tuition, additional resources, and exclusive perks to assist you in developing robust research projects. For information and queries, check our website: https://skyscape.academy or contact us via: https://skyscape.academy/contact/ We look forward to welcoming you to The Skyscape Academy! *********************************************************************** * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at https://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to https://planetarynews.org and click on Subscribe. * * An unsubscribe option is available at the end of every PEN email. Or * 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. Title plus text is limited to 200 words. Go to * https://planetarynews.org/submission.html for complete submission * directions. * * PEN is a service provided by the Planetary Science Institute * (https://www.psi.edu) using no NASA funds. All editorial work is * volunteer. ***********************************************************************