PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 20, Number 38 (September 20, 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. Editorial: Keep SWAP and PEPSSI Instruments Alive on New Horizons 2. [NASA] Introducing NASA's Planetary Research Programs Newsletter 3. [NASA] First Landing Site Workshop for the SkyFall Mission 4. [NASA] PDS: SCALPSS Data Available in PDS 5. [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 67 6. [NASA] ROSES-25 Amendment 75: Corrections to Several Program Elements Regarding SciENcv and Other Topics 7. [NASA] Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute CAN-5 Frequently Asked Questions 8. Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University 9. PhD Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Space Sciences and Planetary Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences 10. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Travel Grant 11. Anonymous Survey on Sample Analysis Data Curation in Planetary Science 12. Free Digital Elevation Models and Orthorectified Images Provided by USGS Astrogeology for S-Cubed Mars and Lunar Proposers 13. [DPS-58] Program And Registration 14. [DPS-58] Please Reserve Conference Lodging 15. [DPS-58] Dependent Care Applications 16. [DPS-58] Information for Exhibitors and Sponsors 17. [DPS 58] Panel Discussion on AI 18. DPS Seeks a New Secretary 19. DPS Seeks a New Education Subcommittee Chair 20. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions 21. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers 22. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers 23. Planetary Research - New Papers 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 EDITORIAL: KEEP SWAP AND PEPSSI INSTRUMENTS ALIVE ON NEW HORIZONS Humanity's only ability to measure charged particle energies in the outer heliosphere is threatened by budget pressures on New Horizons. Voyager 1 and 2 were not able to take the same types of measurements on their way to interstellar space, and these utterly unique measurements for humanity could be lost for decades or even a century. This article hosted by the Planetary Society explains more and links to a petition to keep the SWAP and PEPSSI instruments activated beyond their current September 30 switch-off date: https://tinyurl.com/4pevum6m Kirby Runyon, Planetary Science Institute, New Horizons Science Team Member, un-funded. 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] INTRODUCING NASA'S PLANETARY RESEARCH PROGRAMS NEWSLETTER We are thrilled to announce the inaugural issue of the NASA Planetary Research Programs Community Update! We created this biannual newsletter with you in mind, aiming to ensure you have the information and connectivity you need to be successful: https://tinyurl.com/2svak5pw We've included sections to share key dates, deadlines, opportunities, and upcoming activities, as well as to highlight your science and introduce new team members at NASA HQ. A link to our new process for submitting science highlights is included at the end: https://tinyurl.com/yuyzstr9 If you'd like to view current or past issues of the newsletter, you can bookmark this page: https://tinyurl.com/ykwcfjj6 We look forward to your feedback as we continue to strive to support this amazing community! Questions about the newsletter may be directed to aaron.burton@nasa.gov 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 [NASA] FIRST LANDING SITE WORKSHOP FOR THE SKYFALL MISSION February 9-10, 2027, Virtual You are invited to participate in the First Landing Site Workshop (LSW) for the SkyFall mission to Mars. The virtual workshop will be held February 9-10, 2027, and will be the first of two science-focused workshops to identify potential landing sites and adjacent exploration zones of high scientific value that satisfy the engineering constraints imposed by the project and spacecraft design. Given the rapid development cadence of the SkyFall mission, the LSW process will necessarily be abbreviated compared to those of prior missions, though the Mars Exploration Program and SkyFall project are committed to using the available time and resources to maximize science value in the selection of landing site. Prior to the First Landing Site Workshop, individuals and self-organized groups are encouraged to identify potential landing sites for preliminary assessment by the SkyFall team. Information on how to submit potential sites may be found in the SkyFall Mission Information Package: https://tinyurl.com/yse4dkpt Individuals/teams that propose a site that satisfies engineering constraints and demonstrates promising science value will be invited to present their site at the First LSW. https://tinyurl.com/mcuvedad Direct questions to skyfall_lsw_input@jpl.nasa.gov [Edited for length] 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 TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION IN EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANETARY SCIENCES AT RICE UNIVERSITY The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice University, in Houston, TX, seeks applications for a tenure-track assistant professor position. Applications are encouraged from scientists who innovatively develop and adapt Artificial Intelligence (AI) methods to advance understanding of processes in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. Approaches that harness the potential of AI in conjunction with terrestrial or space-based geoscience data, computational and physics-based modeling of geoscience processes, and/or field observations are encouraged. Ideal candidates will have demonstrated expertise in developing and adapting AI methods for problems in the geoscience domain, potentially encompassing molecular to planetary scales and from Earth's atmosphere to its deep interior. We welcome research linked to major challenges in natural hazards, energy transition, climate, and environmental systems. Successful candidates are expected to establish a vigorous, externally funded research program, teach core courses, develop undergraduate and graduate courses within their area of expertise, and be involved in service to the department, university, and the broader scientific community. All candidates must have earned a related Ph.D. degree by the time of the appointment. For further information and application instructions, please visit: https://apply.interfolio.com/193007 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 PHD OPPORTUNITIES IN INTERDISCIPLINARY SPACE SCIENCES AND PLANETARY RESEARCH AT THE AUSTRIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES As part of its Young Researcher Programme YRP@Graz, the Space Research Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) invites applications for two PhD positions (30h/week). This programme offers exciting opportunities in space science, from exoplanet research and astrochemistry to instrument development. Projects in this call include developing a next-generation ion mass spectrometer for the Saturnian system and atmospheric modelling of rocky exoplanets. For more details, see: https://tinyurl.com/5794n36t We seek excellent candidates with a Master's degree in physics, astrophysics, geoscience, computational chemistry, electrical engineering, or an equivalent field. The positions are for a minimum of three years, starting as early as February 1, 2027. The application process has two stages, with stage 1 being an anonymised questionnaire (submission deadline: October 31, 2026), stage 2 takes the form of an interview. For detailed project descriptions and application instructions, please visit: https://oeawnr.onlyfy.jobs/de/job/2xjqwg3g We look forward to receiving your application! 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 GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL FUND TRAVEL GRANT The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Fall 2026 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and engineering. The Travel Grants enable student recipients to attend professional conferences to present their research. Recipients may use the Grant for either virtual or in-person conferences. The Soffen Fund will award up to $2000 in total, with no individual award greater than $1000, to cover expenses related to presenting research at either a virtual or in-person conference. The Fall 2026 Travel Grant application deadline is October 9, 2026. Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund website: https://soffenfund.org Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent to: ec@nasa-academy.org 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] SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH VIRTUAL INSTITUTE CAN-5 FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)-5 solicits multi-institutional team-based proposals for research as participating members of the Institute. Proposals must clearly articulate an innovative research program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to understanding the nature of the Moon and its near space environment to enable future human exploration of the Moon with Artemis. "Mars forward" proposals that use lunar-focused research to develop approaches to Mars exploration also are welcome. A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for SSERVI CAN-5 has been posted on the NSPIRES page for SSERVI CAN-5 under "Other Documents": https://tinyurl.com/yhne4kac Step-1 proposals are due September 29, 2026, and Step-2 proposals are due December 4, 2026. Questions may be directed to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov up to 14 calendar days prior to the Step-2 proposal due date. 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 [NASA] PDS: SCALPSS DATA AVAILABLE IN PDS The PDS Imaging Node is happy to announce public availability of our first CLPS data set. SCALPSS (Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface Studies) is a payload on the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 lander. The data can be accessed via our Image Atlas either in filesystem-like form: https://tinyurl.com/5483twa4 or via the Atlas search: https://tinyurl.com/ya46u66w 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 [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 67 The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 67 of data from the Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This release contains raw, calibrated, and derived data products covering the nominal time period from March 15 through June 14, 2026. 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 LAMP and Mini-RF are delayed. 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-20260915.shtml LRO releases occur every three months. The next release is scheduled for December 15, 2026. 10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10 [NASA] ROSES-25 AMENDMENT 75: CORRECTIONS TO SEVERAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS REGARDING SCIENCV AND OTHER TOPICS Information about the required SciENcv format for biographical sketch and current and pending support was expanded/improved in A.13 Accelerating Earth Solutions, A.14 Atmosphere, A.15 Biosphere, A.16 Cryosphere, A.17 Hydrosphere, C.4 Planetary Science Enabling Facilities, and D.4 Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics Networks. Other corrections or improvements were also made, e.g., details on the redacted and anonymized budget were added to the table of requirements for the anonymized proposal in A.15 Biosphere, A.16 Cryosphere, and A.17 Hydrosphere. For a complete and accurate list of changes, refer to the text of the program element. New text is in bold, deleted text is struck through. The point(s) of contact for each program element is in the summary table of key information at the end of each PDF and at: https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/program-officers-list/ 11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11 ANONYMOUS SURVEY ON SAMPLE ANALYSIS DATA CURATION IN PLANETARY SCIENCE We are conducting an anonymous survey to understand current community practices related to archive and use of sample analysis data, as well as the challenges that data users and data providers face when working with sample data. Please take a moment to fill the survey following this link: https://tinyurl.com/yxp2zvrr 12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12 FREE DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS AND ORTHORECTIFIED IMAGES PROVIDED BY USGS ASTROGEOLOGY FOR S-CUBED MARS AND LUNAR PROPOSERS The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Planetary Photogrammetry Lab offers a FREE Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and orthorectified image production service to the scientific community to supply NASA-selected investigators with high-quality HiRISE and LROC NAC DEMs and orthorectified images. This service is offered at no charge to NASA-selected investigations through the ROSES program. Proposers need only to reach out to USGS Astrogeology around initial submission or at least three weeks prior to submission of E&R documents for a Letter of Technical Confirmation or a Letter of Support. More information on the program, requirements for issuing a Letter, and how to request a letter can be found on our website: https://tinyurl.com/5ya22n36 13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13 [DPS-58] PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION The DPS-58 program is live online, showing the timing of oral and poster sessions, talks and posters within sessions, splinter meetings and workshops, and conference social and professional development events. We can hardly wait to see you all in Spokane, WA, October 25-30, and are looking forward to a planetary science highlight of 2026 - visit: https://submissions.mirasmart.com/DPS58/Itinerary/EventsAAG.aspx Late registration remains open at: https://aas.org/meetings/dps58/registration. 14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14-14 [DPS-58] PLEASE RESERVE CONFERENCE LODGING Please arrange your hotel for DPS-58 at official conference lodging. There is a block of rooms at government rates, and lodging is connected to the conference venue-the Spokane Convention Center-via a covered a walkway. The hotel features an onsite restaurant and other options are located nearby. Utilizing this lodging will cut both cost to attend the conference and carbon footprint to attend the conference by eliminating the need for car rental. Visit: https://aas.org/meetings/dps58/accommodations 15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15 [DPS-58] DEPENDENT CARE APPLICATIONS The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) offers Susan Niebur Dependent Care grants to support attendance at DPS-58 to be held 25-30 October 2026 in Spokane, Washington, U.S.A. These grants provide financial assistance to qualifying members to facilitate their meeting attendance by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc., at the meeting location or at home during the DPS conference. Apply for a dependent care grant here: https://dps.aas.org/development/dps-dependent-care-grant-application/ 16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16 [DPS-58] INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS The Local Organizing Committee for DPS-58 is soliciting exhibitors and sponsors for the meeting. Exhibitor spaces are located in a heavily trafficked are between the poster sessions and common area in a large shared ballroom. If you are interested, please contact Rod Nenner (rod.nenner@aas.org) at the American Astronomical Society. 17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17 [DPS 58] PANEL DISCUSSION ON AI At the upcoming DPS meeting at the Spokane Convention Center, the DPS Committee will host and moderate a panel discussion/town hall on the emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in planetary science on Thursday, October 29, in room 111B at 4:30-5:30 PM PDT We will touch on opportunities, potential pitfalls, and ethical and environmental concerns. If you wish to contribute topics for discussion or participate as a panelist, contact Steven.D.Vance@jpl.caltech.edu. 18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18 DPS SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Denise Stephens as DPS Secretary. If this impactful position interests you, submit a letter of interest and a CV to DPS Chair Scott Murchie at scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu or DPS.chair@aas.org. As Secretary, you would be part of the Executive Committee, helping to lead the division and formulate rapid responses to planetary community events. Regular duties are to: - Compile and distribute eNews to DPS members; - Maintain DPS records and documents including the DPS Meeting Guide, instruction guides for subcommittees, official Committee and Subcommittee membership lists, letterhead, bylaws, and membership data; - Oversee membership applications and the membership roster; - Collected statements from candidates for elected DPS offices identified by the Nominating Subcommittee, circulate them, conduct the annual election, and announce the results; - Prepare prize certificates and citations; and - Contribute to the corporate memory of DPS along with other officers. 19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19 DPS SEEKS A NEW EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Sanlyn Buxner as Chair of the DPS Education Subcommittee. If you are interested please contact DPS Chair Scott Murchie and submit a CV at DPS.chair@aas.org or scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu. Regular duties are to: - Maintain the Education portion of the DPS website together with the DPS webmaster - Maintain the searchable database of Research Experiences for Undergraduate students in planetary science - Maintain the searchable database of graduate schools for planetary science - Intermittently, manages DPS Education and Outreach Grants - ($200 to $500) - awarded on rolling basis - Support education-related activities during DPS meetings in coordination with DPS leadership and other committees 20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20 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 30-December 3, 2026 The ARC Of the Universe https://sites.google.com/view/thearcoftheuniverse/ Acre, Israel December 14-17, 2026 Rogue Worlds 3 https://rogueworldsconference.github.io Cambridge, MA February 9-10, 2027 First Landing Site Workshop for the SkyFall Mission https://tinyurl.com/mcuvedad Virtual 21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21 PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Open Access Papers Editor, Brian Jackson https://psj.aas.org Updated Mars Orientation and Gravity Field and Indication of Decadal Changes in Rotation Rate Alex. S. Konopliv et al. 2026 PSJ 7:212 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9ba7 Direct Molecular-scale Insight into Soluble Organic Matter from the Murchison and Aguas Zarcas Meteorites Enabled by 21T FT-ICR MS and Single-molecule HR-AFM Imaging Joseph W. Frye-Jones et al. 2026 PSJ 7:213 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9a8d Microwave Remote Sensing of Giant Planet Atmospheres: Considerations for Saturn and Uranus Orbiter Missions Alex B. Akins and Mark D. Hofstadter 2026 PSJ 7:214 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9c31 Probing the Taxonomic Diversity of the Small Near-Earth Object Population Andy J. Lopez-Oquendo et al. 2026 PSJ 7:215 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9f3f A Whole-planet Model of the Earth without Life for Terrestrial Exoplanet Studies Samantha Gilbert-Janizek et al. 2026 PSJ 7:216 https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9d79 22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22 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 Tracking Deep Mantle Melting on Mars Using Phobos Tides A. Guinard, A. Fienga, A. Mémin, D. Antonangeli https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009726 23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23 PLANETARY RESEARCH - NEW PAPERS Direct Links to Diamond Open Access Papers Editor-in-Chief, Mark A. Wieczorek https://planetary-research.org No new papers this week. *********************************************************************** * 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. 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