Planetary Exploration Newsletter Volume 2, Number 7 (January 27, 2008)
PEN Website: http://planetarynews.org
Editor: Nic Richmond
Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matt Balme
Email: pen_editor at psi.edu
1. [NASA] Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2008
2. [NASA] Offers Pre-Screening of Principal Investigator Requirements for New Frontiers Opportunity
3. [NSF/NASA] Proposal Opportunity for Management of the Virtual Astronomical Observatory
4. New Spectroscopy Archive at the University of Winnipeg
5. International Planetary Probe Workshop Second Announcement
6. Research Associate Position at Imperial College London, UK
7. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
[NASA] RESEARCH OPPORTUNITIES IN SPACE AND EARTH SCIENCES (ROSES) 2008
NNH08ZDA001N, entitled “Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences – 2008 (ROSES-2008),” will be available on or about February 15, 2008, by opening the NASA Research Opportunities homepage at:
and then linking through the menu listings “Solicitations” to “Open Solicitations.” This NASA Research Announcement (NRA) solicits proposals for supporting basic and applied research and technology across a broad range of Earth and space science program elements relevant to one or more of the following NASA Research Programs: Earth Science, Heliophysics, Planetary Science, and Astrophysics.
Proposal due dates are scheduled starting on May 9, 2008, and continue through March 27, 2009. Electronically submitted Notices of Intent to propose are requested for most program elements, with the first such due date being March 14, 2008.
Further information about specific program elements may be obtained from the individual Program Officers listed in the Summary of Key Information for each program element in this NRA, while questions concerning general NRA policies and procedures may be directed to Dr. Yvonne Pendleton, Senior Advisor for Research and Analysis, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; E-mail: sara@nasa.gov; Telephone: 202-358-1182.
[NASA] OFFERS PRE-SCREENING OF PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR REQUIREMENTS FOR NEW FRONTIERS OPPORTUNITY
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) plans to release an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for the third New Frontiers (NF-3) mission no earlier than June 2008. Downselection would occur in 2009.
In compliance with SMD policy, the Principal Investigators (PI) for a New Frontiers mission must demonstrate minimum experience qualifications that are designed to demonstrate relevant experience exercising responsibility, authority, and management of a space project in the areas of leadership, planning, implementation, and approval.
[Editor Note: For the complete announcement detailing these requirements, go to
http://newfrontiers.larc.nasa.gov/nf_prescreening.html]
[NSF/NASA] PROPOSAL OPPORTUNITY FOR MANAGEMENT OF THE VIRTUAL ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATORY
Proposals are solicited to manage and operate the Virtual Astronomical Observatory (VAO) through a cooperative agreement with the National Science Foundation (NSF), in partnership with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
The Virtual Astronomical Observatory will serve to link a multitude of astronomical data sets into an integrated system that allows automated search and analysis among all cataloged objects. The VAO will provide access to data sets, create and maintain data protocols and standards, and provide analysis tools and services to the astronomical research and educational community. The VAO is expected to act as an enabling and coordinating structure to facilitate the development of tools, protocols, and collaborations necessary to utilize fully the scientific potential of current and future astronomical data.
Proposals are due April 22, 2008. This is a joint NSF/NASA program. The solicitation and proposal management are being handled by NSF. Proposers may opt to submit proposals via Grants.gov or via the NSF FastLane system. Proposals may not be submitted via NSPIRES. The review process will be run, and the award decision will be made, jointly by NSF and NASA. See:
http://www.nsf.gov/funding/pgm_summ.jsp?pims_id=13618
for full details.
Questions may be directed to Dr. Nigel Sharp, VAO Program Officer, Division of Astronomical Sciences, National Science Foundation; Email nsharp@nsf.gov; Phone (703) 292-4905; or to Dr. Alan Smale, Astrophysics Division, National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Email alan.smale@nasa.gov; Phone 202-358-2016.
NEW SPECTROSCOPY ARCHIVE AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WINNIPEG
The Planetary Spectrophotometer Facility (PSF) at the University of Winnipeg is making available digital files of both newly acquired and archived laboratory spectroscopic data as well as associated sample information at its newly constructed web site:
The web site includes information on the facility’s instrumentation and capabilities, and the archive includes data acquired over the past 20 years. The PSF is also available for conducting spectroscopic measurements for other investigators on an as-available basis.
For additional details visit the web site or contact the Director, Dr. Ed Cloutis (e.cloutis@uwinnipeg.ca; tel: (204) 786 9386 or Laboratory Manager, Mr. Dan Bailey (da.bailey@uwinnipeg.ca; tel: (204) 786 9994).
INTERNATIONAL PLANETARY PROBE WORKSHOP SECOND ANNOUNCEMENT
Dear Colleagues,
See:
http://www.planetaryprobe.org/
for details of the 6th International Planetary Probe Workshop (IPPW6) and Short Course on Extreme Environment Technologies.
Where: Atlanta, Georgia, USA.
When: 21-27 June 2008
The goal of the workshop is to bring together scientists, technologists, engineers, mission designers, and policy makers interested in the exploration of solar system bodies with substantial atmospheres. The workshop covers the technological challenges and scientific opportunities associated with entry, descent, landing and flight in planetary atmospheres.
A preliminary list of session topics includes: a historical perspective; science and technology of current entry probes; miniprobes; probes designed for missions to giant planets; planetary entry probe technologies; and earth sample return missions.
Abstract deadline: 3 March 2008
Andrew Ball Co-chair, International Organising Committee
RESEARCH ASSOCIATE POSITION AT IMPERIAL COLLEGE LONDON, UK
A research associate position is available to work on planetary upper atmospheres within Space and Atmospheric Physics Group at Imperial College London. The work involves the modelling of planetary upper atmospheres and their interaction with the magnetic environment, including the study of Venus, Titan, and Saturn.
Information containing extended description and application procedure can be found at:
http://www3.imperial.ac.uk/employment/research/ns2008011yl
The closing date is 15 February 2008.
PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS
Posted at http://planetarynews.org/meetings.html
No new postings.
[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 at psi.edu.]
*********************************************************************** * * The Planetary Exploration Newsletter is issued approximately weekly. * Current and back issues are available at * * http://planetarynews.org * * To subscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_subscribe.html * * To unsubscribe, go to http://planetarynews.org/pen_unsubscribe.html * * Please send all replies and submissions to pen_editor at psi.edu. * Announcements and other messages should be brief with links to URLs * for extended information, including detailed descriptions for job * announcements. Go to the PEN website for submission directions. ************************************************************************
