PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 20, Number 24 (June 14, 2026) PEN Website: https://planetarynews.org Editor: Mark V. Sykes Co-Editors: Matthew R Perry, Alex Morgan Email: pen_editor@psi.edu X: @pen2tweets Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o 1. Call to Action: Open Letter to MEPAG Community 2. Planetary Research Jobs: A New Job Announcements Platform for Planetary Science 3. PhD Position: Lunar Geophysics & Geodynamics at the German Aerospace Center (DLR) 4. Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month 5. NEO Surveyor Assistant Survey Scientist 6. Asteroids2029 U.S. Node Launched 7. [NASA] FY26 Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) 8. Call for Applications for 18 Doctoral and 6 Postdoctoral Positions in Germany 9. Science Communications Manager and Public Information Officer Position Available at Planetary Science Institute 10. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 11. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 12. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers Commercial/Fundraising Announcements: C1. Letters of Support Request 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 CALL TO ACTION: OPEN LETTER TO MEPAG COMMUNITY The Mars Exploration Program has been directed to absorb and manage the Skyfall payload on the Space Reactor-1 (SR-1) demonstration mission within its budget. This will effectively eliminate any new developments or missions until after SR-1/Skyfall launches (nominally 2028 but with the potential to slip to 2031). It is also anticipated that the costs for Skyfall will exceed the available funding in the Mars Future Missions line, which means that without a budget augmentation in FY27, the chances are quite high that more than one currently operating mission at Mars will be terminated and their funds redirected to supporting Skyfall. Without an augmentation to cover the costs of Skyfall, the Mars Future Plan is unlikely to see substantial progress. We have a short window of time to show the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee our support for a budget that enables the MEP program of record to continue alongside Skyfall. Additionally, OMB has announced its intent to formalize substantive, universal (not by agency/department) changes to the management of federal assistance that undermine scientific research; the public comment period closes 13 July. For the full text of this message and pointers to resources, see: https://planetarynews.org/editorials/MEPAG_MEP-OMB.pdf 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 PLANETARY RESEARCH JOBS: A NEW JOB ANNOUNCEMENTS PLATFORM FOR PLANETARY SCIENCE Planetary Research Jobs is a new jobs platform for the planetary science community that is free to use. If you would like to post a new announcement, it is only necessary to sign in using your account with ORCID. All announcements are published on Mastodon and Bluesky, you can subscribe to RSS/Atom feeds, and you can also subscribe to a weekly email digest. Anyone can publish an announcement, so just add it if its not already there! Go to: https://jobs.planetary-research.org To learn more about our platform, check out our blog post: https://tinyurl.com/u2hfkkba 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 PHD POSITION: LUNAR GEOPHYSICS & GEODYNAMICS AT THE GERMAN AEROSPACE CENTER (DLR) The Department of Planetary Physics of the German Aerospace Center (DLR) in Berlin, Germany, is recruiting a PhD student to study the volcano-tectonic history of the Moon. Constraints on the flooding history of the lunar maria will be given based on joint analyses of gravity and topography data as well as on a flood volcanism model. The deformation history of the lunar surface will be modelled to then determine the tectonic consequences of mare emplacement. Comparisons with available observations will allow providing fundamental constraints on the geodynamic history of the Moon at the dawn of its evolution. The position is part of the Junior Group Leader Emmy Noether grant awarded to Dr. Adrien Broquet (DLR, Berlin). Expected Start: September 1, 2026 Deadline: June 30, 2026 More information: https://tinyurl.com/46k3djkb 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 PLANETARY GEOMORPHOLOGY IMAGE OF THE MONTH The June image of the month is now available at the IAG's Planetary Geomorphology web page: https://planetarygeomorphology.wordpress.com This month's topic is 'Geomorphological Evidence of Fluid Seepage in Pit Complex Formation, Pioneer Terra, Pluto', contributed by Dr. Roodra Manogaran, from Louisiana State University. You can follow IAG Planetary Geomorphology Image of the Month on BlueSky: @planetarygeomorph.bsky.social https://bsky.app/profile/planetarygeomorph.bsky.social or Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PlanetaryGeomorphology 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 NEO SURVEYOR ASSISTANT SURVEY SCIENTIST NASA's Near-Earth Object (NEO) Surveyor is a planned mission (launch: September 2027) with a goal of finding, identifying, and characterizing potentially hazardous asteroids in our Solar System. The NEO Surveyor Assistant Survey Scientist will work with the Principal Investigator and Science Team in developing the NEO Surveyor survey plan, which determines where the Observatory points as a function of time; will participate in testing and verifying that the survey plan obeys survey rules defined by the Science Team; will participate actively in studying the ability to link detections of small body candidates observed by NEO Surveyor to ensure that they result in the determination of high-quality orbits. Qualifications for the position include: 1+ years research experience in planetary astrophysics, Solar System bodies, exoplanets or related subarea(s); strong programming skills with 2+ years Python or equivalent language programming experience; ability to interpret copious amounts of complex technical information and data. More information on the position, including qualifications, compensation range, benefits and how to apply are provided at: https://jobs.ucla.edu/careers-home/jobs/10520 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 ASTEROIDS2029 U.S. NODE LAUNCHED The Asteroids2029 U.S. Node has been established to amplify U.S. participation in the International Year of Asteroid Awareness and Planetary Defense (Asteroids2029), proclaimed by the United Nations for 2029. Coordinated by Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), the U.S. Node is a collaborative network of organizations from across the science, education, museum, industry, government, and public outreach communities. The Node aims to facilitate coordination, share resources, develop common engagement materials, and identify opportunities for collaboration leading up to 2029. Organizations interested in asteroid science, planetary defense, public engagement, education, workforce development, or related activities are invited to participate. To learn more or express interest in joining the U.S. Node, please contact: asteroids2029@jhuapl.edu. 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] FY26 MINORITY UNIVERSITY RESEARCH AND EDUCATION PROJECT (MUREP) SPACE TECHNOLOGY ARTEMIS RESEARCH (M-STAR) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN) Announcement Number: NNH26ZHA002C The Minority University Research and Education Project (MUREP) Space Technology Artemis Research (M-STAR) opportunity is a National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) initiative through its Office of STEM Engagement (OSTEM). Its primary purpose is to enhance the research capabilities and infrastructure of Minority Serving Institutions (MSIs), Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), and Tribal Colleges and Universities (TCUs) enabling them to participate in NASA's Space Technology Mission Directorate (STMD) research to support the Agency's advancement of technologies needed for exploration of the Moon, Mars, and beyond. For more information, visit: https://tinyurl.com/bcbex4hd [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 APPLICATIONS FOR 18 DOCTORAL AND 6 POSTDOCTORAL POSITIONS IN GERMANY A new Collaborative Research Center SFB 1759 on "Habitability as a fundamental planetary process: Towards a paradigm shift away from our perception of the uniqueness of Earth" funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG) is being established at the Freie Universitat Berlin, Germany, starting October 1, 2026. Within the SFB 1759, 18 Doctoral (75% E13 TV-L) and 6 Postdoctoral positions (100% E13 TV-L) are now open for application. Review of all applications will begin July 22, 2026 and will continue until all positions have been filled. More information can be found on: https://sfb1759-planetary-habitability.de/ 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 SCIENCE COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER AND PUBLIC INFORMATION OFFICER POSITION AT PLANETARY SCIENCE INSTITUTE PSI is seeking a Science Communications Manager/PIO (PIO) who has a passion for science communication and is proficient in converting complex scientific topics into engaging and relatable content for the general public. The PIO is the contact and liaison between PSI scientists and members of the media and the public. The PIO manages the PSI Public Information Department and works with the CEO to develop and implement evolving external and internal communication strategies and capabilities at PSI. Major responsibilities include generating press releases, management of PSI's social media presence, and development of the annual report. Details and application instructions can be found at: https://www.psi.edu/about/jobs/ 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 Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online components. Check their websites for details. Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html November 16-18, 2026 Rocky Worlds DDT Workshop Data Challenge Results & Rocky Worlds DDT Science https://tinyurl.com/73dz8s5n Baltimore, MD 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 SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Brian Jackson https://psj.aas.org Empirical Evaluation of S-band Radar Polarimetric Response to Surface Rock Abundance across the Lunar Highlands and Maria Edgard G. Rivera-Valentin et al. 2026 PSJ 7:144 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6fa4 Mars as an Exoplanet: Lessons from a Planet at the Edge of Habitability Stephen R. Kane et al. 2026 PSJ 7:145 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6f00 Degradation Mechanisms and Efficiency of Heavily Cratered Regions on Ceres Reem Vitale and Masatoshi Hirabayashi 2026 PSJ 7:146 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6241 Creation of Lunar-like Rims in Ilmenite Using Synthetic Solar Wind Roshan S. Trivedi et al. 2026 PSJ 7:147 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6074 Discovery of Hundreds of Main-belt Asteroids with Synthetic Tracking of WISE Data Emerson A. Whittaker and Jean-Luc Margot 2026 PSJ 7:148 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6fa1 Influence of Penetration Depth on Jets on Giant Planets: Equatorial Jet Direction, Jet Numbers, and Jet Energy Fraction Yaoxuan Zeng et al. 2026 PSJ 7:149 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6da7 Coupled Photochemical-Climate Modeling of Plausible Tenuous Outgassed Atmospheres on the TRAPPIST-1 Planets Megan T. Gialluca et al. 2026 PSJ 7:150 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6cef Grain Size Effects on UV-MIR Spectra of Aubrites: Clues for Interpreting E-type Near-Earth Asteroids David C. Cantillo et al. 2026 PSJ 7:151 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae6db2 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 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 Geologically Recent Formation of Some Tesserae on Venus by Plains Deformation Paul K. Byrne et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009692 Characterization of Dust in Saturn's Rings Using Cassini Spacecraft Data L. Nouzak et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009583 Spectral Characterization of CO2-H2O Ice Layering Under Controlled Mars Polar Conditions as Laboratory Analogs for Seasonal Cap Activity Jamie A. Isen, Andrej Stojanovic, Wendy M. Calvin, Isaac B. Smith https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009752 Lunar Crustal Formation by Melt Migration and Differentiation Within a Stagnant Lid K. H. Dodds, C. Michaut, J. A. Neufeld https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009372 Effects of Comet Encke's Meteoroid Stream on the Seasonal Variation of Mercury's Ca Exosphere M. Moroni et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009714 Mastcam-Z Spectrophotometric Properties of Materials at the Van Zyl Overlook, Jezero Crater B. Margara et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009675 Predicting Nitrogen Isotope Fractionation in Nitrate Deposition on Early Mars J. Shawcross et al. https://doi.org/10.1029/2025JE009146 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: LETTERS OF SUPPORT REQUEST Potomac Database Systems ("Potomac" potomacdb.com) is innovating a new commercial paradigm for lunar surface data collection and access. "Pathfinders," instrumented lunar surface impact penetrators, will provide geophysical data across the Moon from seismometry to regolith and volatile composition. These unique data will be available on the web app, Nexus, hosted by Potomac. Potomac is seeking non-binding letters of support from scientists who believe commercial lunar data should be more accessible, affordable, and useful to the global Moon community. To learn more and indicate potential, no-obligation interest in signing, click here: https://forms.gle/WPVE173XZUSJCRE98 For other questions, contact info@potomacdb.com. *********************************************************************** * 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. 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