Planetary Exploration Newsletter Volume 1, Number 33 (December 2, 2007)
PLANETARY EXPLORATION NEWSLETTER Volume 1, Number 33 (December 2, 2007)
PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org
Editor: Nic Richmond
Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matt Balme
Email: pen_editor at psi.edu
o————————-TABLE OF CONTENTS—————————o
1. [NASA] Science and Technology Definition Teams for Venus Mission Architecture
2. [NASA] Investigations on the International Space Station
3. SOFIA Workshop at Upcoming AAS – Date Change to January 7
4. Travel Funds Available for 2008 Astrobiology Science Conference (AbSciCon)
5. Preparing for the International Year of Astronomy: A Hands-on Symposium
6. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
o———————————————————————o
[NASA] SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY DEFINITION TEAMS FOR VENUS MISSION ARCHITECTURE
NASA is forming a Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) for Venus that will work directly with engineers and mission formulation experts to determine and prioritize science objectives, mission architectures, technical challenges, cost estimates, and other mission elements for Venus exploration in the context of the Decadal Survey goals.
The Venus STDT will consist of approximately 12 members; Mark Bullock (SWRI) will serve as the chair of the Venus STDT. To indicate interest, send an email to Adriana Ocampo (aco@nasa.gov) containing (a) a one page description of your areas of expertise and possible contribution to the STDT and (b) an abbreviated CV with emphasis on relevant experience. STDT members will be required to participate in regular teleconferences and conduct occasional travel for meetings including a kick off meeting in mid-January 2008. STDT members will be reimbursed for travel expenses. The Venus STDT will conclude its work by September 30, 2008.
Letters of interest must be received by email no later than December 15, 2007 (12:00 noon EST) to be considered.
For further information, please contact Dr. Adriana Ocampo, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-2152; E-mail aco@nasa.gov.
[NASA] INVESTIGATIONS ON THE INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION
The NASA Announcement of Opportunity NNH07ZDA003O, “Explorer Program: Small Explorers (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity,” now allows Mission of Opportunity proposals for NASA-sponsored investigations on the International Space Station that can be delivered by the HTV cargo vehicle.
Proposers intending to submit proposals for ISS-based Mission of Opportunity investigations should submit a Notices of Intent (NOI) no later than December 11, 2007
The due date for Mission of Opportunity proposals for NASA-sponsored investigations on the International Space Station is February 12, 2008, which is later than the due date for other SMEX proposals.
For the full announcement, go to:
SOFIA WORKSHOP AT UPCOMING AAS – DATE CHANGE TO JANUARY 7
The SOFIA Early Science Opportunities workshop at the Jan. 2008 AAS meeting in Austin will be held 1 to 5 p.m. on Monday, Jan. 7, before the AAS opening reception. That is a change in date from previous announcements.
This will be the first in a series of workshops regarding early science opportunities with SOFIA, currently scheduled to begin in 2009. The workshop will include updates on status of SOFIA and its 9 scientific instruments, plus a charge to working groups to consider the general observer science plan and update SOFIA’s science cases.
EVERYONE IS WELCOME. We encourage attendance by astronomers who have never had airborne astronomy experience, theoreticians, and astronomers currently making use of the Spitzer Space Telescope. This is an opportunity to help define the ways that SOFIA can best serve the scientific community. More information about the workshop can be found at:
http://www.sofia.usra.edu/Science/08Jan_TaskForce/taskforce.html
TRAVEL FUNDS AVAILABLE FOR 2008 ASTROBIOLOGY SCIENCE CONFERENCE (ABSCICON)
LAPLACE Astrobiology Center has set aside funding to support travel expenses (airfare, registration, lodging and meals) for graduate students and post-doc’s available to attend the conference and give an oral / poster presentation.
Abstract Submission Deadline: December 3, 2007
Conference Dates: April, 14-17, 2008
Location: Santa Clara, CA
Please RSVP Cathi Duncan, Program Coordinator (cathi@as.arizona.edu) as soon as possible.
Instructions for abstract submission can be found at the meeting website:
Major topical session themes:
* The Astrophysical and Planetary Context for Life
* The Origin and Evolution of Life
* The Search for Life in our Solar System and Beyond
AbSciCon is an excellent opportunity for you to meet, discuss and showcase your research; we hope you can join us.
PREPARING FOR THE INTERNATIONAL YEAR OF ASTRONOMY: A HANDS-ON SYMPOSIUM
May 31 to June 3, 2008 St. Louis, Missouri
The 120th Annual Meeting of the Astronomical Society of the Pacific, cosponsored with, and part of, the 2008 Summer Meeting of the American Astronomical Society.
Includes:
* A symposium for education and outreach professionals
* Two days on hands-on demonstration workshops for diverse audiences.
For more information, see the meeting web site: http://www.astrosociety.org/2008meeting
At this meeting, education and outreach professionals will gather to discuss international, regional, and local programs for the International Year of Astronomy in 2009, which celebrates the 400th anniversary of the astronomical telescope. If you are interested in planning activities in 2009, this meeting is an excellent chance to learn more about what various institutions and organizations are proposing to do, and to coordinate your ideas with colleagues around the country and the world. During the weekend, there will also be model workshops to demonstrate and develop techniques for reaching a wide range of audiences.
PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS
Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html
February 29, 2008
Lunar Crater Observation and Sensing Satellite (LCROSS) Astronomer Workshop http://www.lpi.usra.edu/meetings/lcross2008/ Moffett Field, CA
June 16-19, 2008
ASTRONET Infrastructure Roadmap Symposium (Towards a Strategic Plan for European Astronomy) http://www.astro.livjm.ac.uk/~airs2008/index.html Liverpool, United Kingdom
[Editor Note: If there is a planetary-related meeting, conference or workshop that you think your colleagues should be aware of, please send the date, title, URL and location to pen_editor@psi.edu.]
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