PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 20, Number 17 (April 26, 2026) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Alex Morgan Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matthew R Perry Email: pen_editor@psi.edu X: @pen2tweets Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. [NASA] New Deadline for Request for Information (RFI) Regarding Advancement of "Science as a Service" for NASA and Commercial Partners: May 7, 2026 2. [NASA] Updated Deadline for the Request for Information (RFI) for Lunar Science and Technology Payloads for Expanded Lunar Landing Opportunities 3. 35th Meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group 4. [EPSC 2026] Session MITM5: Machine Learning Applications For Planetary Exploration - Democratizing An Emerging Methodology 5. [EPSC 2026] Session OPS8: Exploring the Ocean Worlds of the Solar System 6. [EPSC 2026] Session SB9: From Primitive Bodies to Rocky Planets - Carbon Chemistry and Chemical Evolution 7. [EPSC 2026] Session TP8: Atmospheres and Exospheres of Terrestrial Bodies 8. Abstract Submission And Registration Open Soon For DPS-58 9. Reminder: Asteroids, Comets, Meteors 2029: Call for Letters of Intent 10. Two Postdoctoral Positions In Planetary Geochemistry, ELSI (Science Tokyo) 11. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 12. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 13. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers Commercial/Fundraising Announcements: C1. Outer Space Lifestyle 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] NEW DEADLINE FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) REGARDING ADVANCEMENT OF "SCIENCE AS A SERVICE" FOR NASA AND COMMERCIAL PARTNERS: MAY 7, 2026 NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is pleased to extend the deadline for the Request for Information (RFI) for the Advancement of "Science as a Service" for NASA and Commercial partners. The full announcement for NNH26ZDA006L can be found here: https://go.nasa.gov/saasrfi New Deadline to Submit Responses: May 7, 2026 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time The RFI is seeking ideas for mission concepts that leverage existing capabilities of industry, and to identify where new technology investments could be mutually beneficial to government and industry. For questions or comments, please contact: - Michael Seablom, Associate Director for Technology, Earth Science Division, Michael.S.Seablom@nasa.gov - Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Director, Astrophysics Division, shawn.goldman@nasa.gov We look forward to engaging with interested partners to continue advancing NASA Science through innovative collaborations. 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] UPDATED DEADLINE FOR THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR LUNAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PAYLOADS FOR EXPANDED LUNAR LANDING OPPORTUNITIES Number: NNH26ZDA008L New Response Date: May 7, 2026 There is a new deadline for the Lunar Science and Technology Payloads for Expanded Lunar Landing Opportunities Request for Information (RFI) posted on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES). Responses to the RFI are now due 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 7, 2026. A Questions and Answers (Q&A) document posted earlier in April remains available. Please visit the website to see the Q&As and the full RFI text: https://go.nasa.gov/ploadsrfi Additional questions may be emailed to the RFI's point of contact Dr. Brad Bailey at HQ-RFILunarPayloads@mail.nasa.gov. Please use "PLoads RFI" in the subject line of an inquiry email. Do not use this email address for RFI submissions because emailed submissions will not be considered. 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 35TH MEETING OF THE SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP The SBAG Steering Committee is pleased to invite you to register for the 35th meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group. This fully virtual meeting will take place in 3-hour blocks on June 9-11, 2026. Even with the change in format, the scope of topics on the program will be very similar to previous meetings. We will hear from agency representatives (including Dr. Louise Prockter, Planetary Science Division Director; Dr. Kelly Fast, Acting Planetary Defense Officer; and Dr. Tom Statler, Lead Scientist for Solar System Small Bodies), along with speakers affiliated with major community programs, missions, and activities. We invite you to online (at no cost) by June 2 to confirm your attendance at this virtual meeting. Additionally, there will be opportunities for early-career participants to present their research and connect with more senior members of the field. We invite interested early-career researchers to apply online by May 11 to present their work at the meeting or participate in the meeting mentor program. Please keep an eye on the meeting website, which will be updated in the coming weeks: https://smallbodiesassessmentgroup.github.io/SBAG-Website/meetings/ We look forward to seeing you virtually in June. All the best, Terik Daly SBAG Chair 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 [EPSC] SESSION MITM5: MACHINE LEARNING APPLICATIONS FOR PLANETARY EXPLORATION - DEMOCRATIZING AN EMERGING METHODOLOGY The Europlanet Science Congress (EPSC) 2026 is being held in The Hague in the Netherlands from the 6-11 September 2026. We would like to draw your attention to the following EPSC session and invite you to submit an abstract. https://www.epsc2026.eu/session/59276 Novel techniques in artificial intelligence have the potential to revolutionise the field of planetary and space science. Recent advances in computing technology have demonstrated the utility of Machine Learning (ML) for analysing the large-scale datasets which are ubiquitous in planetary and space science. These tools have the potential to enable larger scale and more in-depth analyses than have ever been possible before. This session will bring together researchers who have applied any form of AI, ML or other computational tools to unravel the mysteries of the Solar System and beyond. We particularly encourage the discussion of open access and transferable models, as well as presentations which will help promote these techniques to others who are considering using them. The Abstract submission deadline is 13 May 2026, 13:00 CEST. Guidelines can be found here: https://www.epsc2026.eu/programme/how-to-submit.html We look forward to seeing you there! Alex Barrett and Elena Favaro 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 [EPSC2026] SESSION OPS8: EXPLORING THE OCEAN WORLDS OF THE SOLAR SYSTEM We invite you to share your work in session OPS8. Submission deadline: 13 May 2026, 13:00 CEST Full details & submission link: https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2026/session/59168 Conveners: Axel Hagerman, Lorenz Roth, Duncan Lyster, Jessica Hogan Since the Galileo mission found evidence for global subsurface oceans at Jupiter's icy moons over 30 years ago, ocean worlds have become central targets of planetary science and astrobiology. Cassini's discovery in 2005 of plumes sourced from Enceladus' global ocean further raised the interest. Now, with the advent of Juice, Europa Clipper, Dragonfly, and progressing planning for ESA L4 there is growing excitement about what these missions could uncover. We welcome abstracts relating to the targets of these missions, as well as studies of other candidate ocean worlds such as Callisto & Triton. This session covers a broad range including: - Transport of material from ocean to surface and how this may lead to mission observables - Geophysics comparisons between bodies - Aqueous and prebiotic geochemistry - Lab experiments aimed at characterising their interiors or surfaces - Surface phenomena including geophysics, impacts, and space weathering - Constraints on conductive heat flow, ocean composition, and other global properties utilising existing observations and/or modelling 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 [EPSC 2026] SESSION SB9: FROM PRIMITIVE BODIES TO ROCKY PLANETS: CARBON CHEMISTRY AND CHEMICAL EVOLUTION Fully hybrid format from 6-11 September 2026 in The Hague (The Netherlands). Carbon-bearing matter spans a remarkable diversity across the Solar System, from simple molecules such as carbon dioxide in planetary atmospheres to complex mixtures of organics on bodies like Titan and Mars. This raises fundamental questions: How do these compounds form, and how are they transformed? Is this chemical complexity inherited from pre-solar stages, formed within the Solar System, or both? What can organic molecules reveal about planetary formation histories and physical conditions, and how do they influence the emergence of habitable worlds? We invite contributions from all disciplines investigating carbon chemistry and its evolution, from primitive bodies to rocky planets and habitable environments. Whether through laboratory studies, observations, in situ measurements, or modeling, all approaches are welcome. You can find a more detailed session description here, where you can also submit your abstract to SB9 (co-organized with EXOA): https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2026/session/59187 Abstracts are due 13 May 2026, 13:00 CEST. [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 [EPSC] SESSION TP8: ATMOSPHERES AND EXOSPHERES OF TERRESTRIAL BODIES The EPSC-2026 abstract submission is open until the deadline of 13 May 2026, 13:00 CEST We kindly invite you to present your work in the session TP8: Atmospheres and exospheres of Terrestrial Bodies https://meetingorganizer.copernicus.org/EPSC2026/sessionprogramme Space missions have delivered a wealth of observations of the atmospheres and aeronomy of rocky planets and moons, from the lower atmosphere to regions interacting directly with the solar wind. With recent advances and forthcoming missions, planetary atmospheric science is entering a particularly active phase. This session invites contributions on the physical and chemical processes shaping the lower, middle, and upper atmospheres of terrestrial bodies in the Solar System, including atmospheric chemistry, energetics, dynamics, electrodynamics, atmospheric escape, surface-atmosphere interactions, and coupling with the space environment. We welcome studies based on spacecrafts (e.g., Messenger, BepiColombo, Venus Express, Akatsuki, EnVision, Davinci, Mars Express, MRO, TGO, EMM, MAVEN, MMX, among others), ground-based observations, comparative planetology, numerical modelling, and laboratory experiments. In view of upcoming ESA and NASA Venus missions, contributions addressing current understanding, open questions, and preparatory studies of the Venus atmosphere are particularly encouraged. The session will include solicited and contributed oral presentations, as well as posters. [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 ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION OPEN SOON FOR DPS-58 Registration and abstract submission will open soon for DPS-58 at the Spokane Convention Center, October 25-30, 2026. DPS-58 will be a hybrid meeting with live-streamed in-person and recorded virtual talks and in-person posters. Three classes of registration include: full in-person, full virtual, and virtual meeting observer for a very low cost. Abstract submission will indicate a science theme plus a class of bodies pertinent to the abstract, from which the Science Organizing Committee will formulate the program. There is also an option to submit to one of five special sessions: - 5 Years of Perseverance Exploration at Jezero - Juno at 10 years - 20 years of MRO observing Mars - 30 years of asteroid rendezvous missions - Interstellar comets Regular Abstract Deadline, Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:00pm ET Early Registration Deadline, Saturday, June 13, 2026 9:00pm ET 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 REMINDER: ASTEROIDS, COMETS, METEORS 2029: CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT This message announces that the ACM Steering Committee is calling for Letters of Intent to host the next ACM conference after ACM 2026, tentatively scheduled for 2029 (maintaining the triennial pace). In particular, we encourage Letters of Intent from outside the Americas and Europe. The due date for letters of intent is May 8, 2026. Complete information about this call and how to prepare your proposal can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/5dfpxu7x We are looking forward to receiving outstanding proposals concerning ACM2029, and hope to see you in Poznan in July 2026, for ACM2026! 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 TWO POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN PLANETARY GEOCHEMISTRY, ELSI (SCIENCE TOKYO) We invite applications for two postdoctoral researchers in planetary geochemistry and thermodynamics at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo. Position 1 (Experimentalist): The researcher will lead calorimetric measurements (heat capacity, decomposition enthalpies, mass loss) on organic matter and mineral assemblages relevant to ocean worlds and other planetary bodies, using the lab's simultaneous TGA/DSC instrument with modulated DSC capability. Position 2 (Modeler): The researcher will develop thermodynamic databases and apply computational models (Gibbs free energy minimization, reactive transport) to water-rock-organic systems in planetary interiors, integrating experimental data from Position 1 into modeling workflows. Both researchers will collaborate closely. Backgrounds in geochemistry, planetary science, cosmochemistry, physical chemistry, or related fields are welcome. Positions are initially for one year with possibility of extension. ELSI operates in English; full support is provided for international researchers. Full descriptions and application instructions: Experimentalist: https://tinyurl.com/26dxmass Modeler: https://tinyurl.com/3sfu4ay8 Informal discussions about the positions are welcome at AbSciCon (May 18 - 22, 2026); please reach out in advance (melwani (at) elsi.jp) to arrange a meeting. Deadline: June 15, 2026. 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 Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online components. Check their websites for details. Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html June 9-11, 2026 Small Bodies Assessment Group https://smallbodiesassessmentgroup.github.io/SBAG-Website/meetings/ Online 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Brian Jackson https://psj.aas.org Quantifying Building Blocks of Life in Planetary Analog Materials: Implications for Prebiotic Chemistry and Biosignature Identification Xiao'ou Luo et al. 2026 PSJ 7:82 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae593e Short-duration Backward Integrations as Phase-space Diagnostics: A Sequence-based Machine Learning Approach to Near-Earth Asteroid Triage Chetan Abhijnanam Bora and Badam Singh Kushvah 2026 PSJ 7:83 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae589e Thin H2-dominated Atmospheres as Signposts of Magmatic Outgassing on Tidally Heated Terrestrial Exoplanets Rahul Arora et al. 2026 PSJ 7:84 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae53e3 Lava Lakes on Io: Crust Age and Implications for Thermal Output Alessandro Mura et al. 2026 PSJ 7:85 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae52ee Characterization of Europa's Interior through Synthesis of Europa Clipper Data Flavio Petricca et al. 2026 PSJ 7:86 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5225 Physical Analysis of Bennu Samples Reveals Regolith Production by Collisional Disruption on Near-Earth Asteroids R.-L. Ballouz et al. 2026 PSJ 7:87 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae4fad A Portrait throughout Perihelion of the NH2-rich Interstellar Comet 2I/Borisov Sophie E. Deam et al. 2026 PSJ 7:88 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5244 NEO Colors from the Mission Accessible Near-Earth Object Survey (MANOS) Nicholas Moskovitz et al. 2026 PSJ 7:89 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5642 Spectral Similarity in the Thermal Infrared between Sulfide-rich Carbonaceous Chondrite Meteorites, Jupiter Trojans, and Other D- and P-type Asteroids Helena C. Bates et al. 2026 PSJ 7:90 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae5931 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 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 Thermal Evolution of the Sulfur-Rich, Small Terrestrial Planetary Core as Inferred From the Experimental Study of the Fe-S-O-H System Jeongmin Lee et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009141 Influence of Mars Topography on Radiation Dose Detected by the Mars Science Laboratory and Assessment of Mars Surface Albedo Radiation Jingnan Guo et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009704 In Situ Carbonation of Sedimentary and Igneous Rocks of Ultramafic Composition in Jezero Crater, Mars E. Clave et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009107 A Planetary-Scale Hydraulic Jump Driving Venus' Cloud Front Takeshi Imamura et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009672 Mars Thermospheric Polar Warming at Aphelion: Dynamical Processes Studied Using M-GITM Jia-Zheng Li et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009386 Mars Thermospheric Variability: Disentangling the Influence of Irradiance, Dust, and Dynamics E. M. B. Thiemann https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009510 C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1-C1 COMMERCIAL: OUTER SPACE LIFESTYLE We planetary scientists are space nerds, but there is SO much more to exploring space than our day jobs! That's why I created Planex.space (Planetary Experience) to help us experience more cosmic amazement, awe, and wonder in our everyday lives: https://planex.space I'm sure we all got a taste of that watching Artemis II fly around the Moon for the first time in most of our lives, and we all lived vicariously through Reid, Victor, Christina, and Jeremy. I hope you'll consider joining my free, monthly newsletter, The Outer Space Lifestyle, for monthly updates about injecting more amazement, awe, and wonder to fill in the gaps around your planetary science day job. Join our growing community at: https://planex.space/join Stay curious, Kirby - kirby@planex.space *********************************************************************** * 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. 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. 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