First Announcement — July 2007

 

SPONSORS —
Mars Institute,
Lunar and Planetary Institute,
National Aeronautics and
   Space Administration,
NASA Mars Program Office,
Canadian Space Agency,
European Space Agency,
Space Research Institute of the
   Russian Academy of Sciences,
Planetary Science Institute,
SETI Institute,
The Planetary Society

CORPORATE
   SPONSORS —

The Boeing Company,
Firestar Engineering,
Hamilton Sundstrand,
Optech Incorporated

CONVENERS —
Pascal Lee,
   Mars Institute, SETI Institute,
   and NASA Ames
   Research Center
,
Alain Berinstain,
   Canadian Space Agency,
Marcello Coradini,
   European Space Agency,
Christopher P. McKay,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Yvonne Pendleton,
   NASA Headquarters,
Joseph Veverka,
   Cornell University,
Alexander Zakharov,
   Space Research Institute,
   Russian Academy of Sciences

TECHNICAL ORGANIZING COMMITTEE —
Pascal Lee (Chair),
   Mars Institute, SETI Institute,
   and NASA Ames
   Research Center
,
Dale Cruikshank (Co-Chair),
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Brian Glass,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Don Pettit,
   NASA Johnson Space Center

Science
Peter C. Thomas (Chair),
   Cornell University,
Jean-Pierre Bibring (Co-Chair),
   Institut d'Astrophysique
   Spatiale
,
Erik Asphaug,
   University of California,
   Santa Cruz
,
Bruce Betts,
   The Planetary Society,
Joseph A. Burns,
   Cornell University,
Jeff Cuzzi,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Brett Gladman,
   University of British Columbia,
Penelope King,
   University of Western Ontario
   and Mars Institute
,
Andrew Rivkin,
   Applied Physics Laboratory,
   Johns Hopkins University
,
Seiji Sugita,
   University of Tokyo

Robotic Reconnaissance
Alexander Zakharov (Chair),
   Space Research Institute,
Robert Richards (Co-Chair),
   Optech Incorporated,
Andrew J. Ball,
   Open University,
Christopher Dreyer,
   Colorado School of Mines,
Lou Friedman,
   The Planetary Society,
Alan Hildebrand,
   University of Calgary,
Butler Hine,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Greg Mungas,
   Jet Propulsion Laboratory,
Carle Pieters,
   Brown University,
Konrad Sauer,
   Max Planck Institut für
   Extraterrestrische Physik

Human Exploration
Pascal Lee (Chair),
   Mars Institute, SETI Institute,
  and NASA Ames
  Research Center
,
Stephen J. Hoffman (Co-Chair),
   SAIC and NASA Johnson
  Space Center
,
Buzz Aldrin,
   Sharespace,
William K. Hartmann,
   Planetary Science Institute,
Ed Hodgson,
   Hamilton Sundstrand,
Jeffrey A. Jones,
   NASA Johnson Space Center,
Geoffrey Landis,
   NASA Glenn Research Center,
Larry Lemke,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
Fred Singer,
   Science and Environmental
  Policy Project
,
Dennis Wingo,
   SkyCorp, Inc.

Student Program —
Nicholas Wilkinson (Chair),
   Mars Institute - Canada,
Michael West (Co-Chair),
   Mars Institute - Australia


  CONFERENCE LOCATION AND DATE

  The First International Workshop on the Exploration of Phobos and Deimos will be held at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, on November 5–8, 2007.

 

  KEY POINTS:
Date:
  November 5–8, 2007
Location:
  NASA Ames Research Center
  Moffet Field, California

  PURPOSE AND SCOPE

  The First International Conference on the Exploration of Phobos and Deimos:  The Science, Robotic Reconnaissance, and Human Exploration of the Two Moons of Mars will be the first international meeting focused specifically on Phobos and Deimos, and on how their exploration relates to that of Mars and the solar system. The conference will be an open international forum that gathers scientists, engineers, space exploration professionals, and students interested in discussing the status and advancement of the exploration of Mars' satellites, and the exploration of Mars itself through them.

The conference is being convened at a time of renewed interest in the exploration of Phobos and Deimos, with several international spacecraft missions and concept studies underway. The conference will be a first international opportunity to

  • review our scientific knowledge and key remaining unknowns regarding Phobos and Deimos, including their connection to Mars and the solar system and its processes;

  • review and coordinate upcoming robotic reconnaissance efforts to Phobos and Deimos; and

  • discuss the potential roles of Phobos and Deimos in future human Mars exploration.
An anticipated outcome of the conference will be a clearer definition of the place Phobos and Deimos should hold in future planetary exploration, both robotic and manned.

 

 

 


  CONFERENCE FORMAT

  The conference will be held in sunny California at the NASA Ames Conference Center (NACC), Building 3, NASA Research Park, just outside the NASA Ames Research Center in Moffett Field, California.

The conference is intended primarily for space scientists, engineers, space exploration professionals, and students. Abstracts are solicited in any one of three areas relating to exploration of Phobos and Deimos: science, robotic reconnaissance, and human exploration. Accepted submissions will be published in an abstract volume that will be distributed to participants at the meeting.

The conference will comprise a single-track plenary session for oral presentations (invited talks and selected oral contributions), a poster session, opportunities for break- out discussions, and special events, including a welcome reception, keynote speeches, and a space art exhibit.

The meeting will be structured as follows:

 Monday, November 5Tuesday, November 6Wednesday, November 7Thursday, November 8
Morning
8:00 a.m.–12:00 noon
 Science
Keynote 1:
Dr. Steven J. Dick
Human ExplorationDiscussion, Synthesis,
and Next Steps
Lunch
12:00 noon–1:00 p.m.
 Keynote 2:
Gen. Pete Worden
Keynote 3:
Dr. Alexandre Zakharov
 
Afternoon
1:00–5:00 p.m.
Welcome
Reception
Robotic
Reconnaissance
Poster Session;
Break-Out Sessions;
Space Art Exhibit
Adjourn
2:00 p.m.

Three break-out sessions are currently considered for Wednesday afternoon, focusing on science, robotic reconnaissance, and human exploration. Questions to be addressed in the break-out groups might include:

Science:  What outstanding issues remain to be addressed at Phobos and/or Deimos, and how might they be best resolved?

Robotic Reconnaissance:  How might near-term robotic spacecraft missions collaborate?

Human Exploration:  What might humans do on Phobos and Deimos and how might they use these moons to explore Mars? What precursor robotic missions might be needed?

 


  SPECIAL EVENTS

  Special events will include a welcome reception on the afternoon of Monday, November 5, hosted at the NACC by the Mars Institute, and keynote speeches on November 6 and 7 by the following distinguished participants and guests:

November 6
Dr. Steven J. Dick
NASA Chief Historian, NASA Public Affairs Office
"The Discovery and Exploration of Phobos and Deimos"
 
Gen. S. Peter Worden
Director, NASA Ames Research Center
"Phobos, Deimos, and the Vision for Space Exploration"

November 7
Dr. Alexander Zakharov
Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
"The Phobos Grunt Mission"

Special events will also include a Space Art Exhibit relating to Mars, Phobos, and Deimos exploration co-hosted by planetary scientist and space artist Dr. William K. Hartmann of the Planetary Science Institute and by space artist Walter Myers.

 

 

  SECURITY

  All conference attendees will need to present a valid government-issued photo identification document (e.g., NASA badge for NASA employees and contractors, U.S. driver's license for U.S. citizens and permanent residents of the U.S., passport for all others) at the main entrance gate of the NASA Research Park in order to be admitted to the NASA Research Park and the NACC facility in Building 3.

NOTE:  Attendees who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. MUST register by October 4, 2007, so we will have sufficient time to obtain the required security clearance for access to the NASA site.

 

 

  CALL FOR ABSTRACTS

  Abstracts may be submitted for oral, poster, or print-only presentation. Given the limited number of oral presentation opportunities available, not all requests for oral presentations are likely to be accommodated. Abstracts may not exceed ONE page in length, including graphics, tables, and references. File sizes are restricted to 1.5 MB.

All abstracts, whether invited or contributed, must be submitted electronically to the Lunar and Planetary Institute via the electronic submission form by 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time on Wednesday, September 5, 2007 (see time zone map). Templates and detailed instructions for formatting and submitting your abstract are provided.

The abstracts and preliminary program will be available in electronic format and accessible via the conference website by October 3, 2007. These files will be in PDF format. Author notification letters will not be mailed, so authors should check the online program to find out where their abstract has been scheduled.

 

  KEY POINTS:
Abstract Deadline:
  Wednesday, September 5, 2007
  (see time zone map)

  TRAVEL GRANTS

  It is anticipated that a limited number of travel grants will be available for students with selected abstract submissions. Both U.S. and international students may qualify. To apply, fill out the travel grant portion of the electronic abstract submission form. Applicants will be informed as soon as possible of the decision of the program committee.

Full-time undergraduate students, graduate students, or postdoctoral fellows at Canadian universities whose abstracts are accepted for presentation at the conference (oral or poster) will be considered for travel support by the Canadian Space Agency. Those interested in applying for this support should follow the same instructions given for applying for the other travel grant funds.

 

 

  REGISTRATION

  Participants are encouraged to register as early as possible to benefit from the lowest possible registration fees. Note that attendees who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents of the U.S. must register before the preregistration deadline of October 4, 2007. The registration fee includes morning and afternoon breaks; lunch on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday; and the conference program and abstract volume.

Conference registration fees are as follows:
Preregistration
Through Oct. 4
Late Registration
Oct. 5–Oct. 22
Onsite
Registration
Professionals$150.00$175.00$195.00
Students$75.00$75.00$75.00
Working Press$0.00$0.00$0.00

Student participants are welcome, but they must present documented proof of current enrollment in an academic program (student I.D., etc.) upon check-in at the conference in order to qualify for the student registration fee. Members of the working press are also welcome, but they must present documented proof of a current media affiliation upon check-in in order to be admitted as media.

Participants registering by credit card MUST use the secure electronic registration form; those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, or traveler's check) MUST use the downloadable registration form. Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through October 22, 2007. After that date, the registration fee will be forfeited.

Note:  The preregistration forms will be deactivated on October 22; after that date, you will not be able to register in advance of the meeting, and only be able to register onsite at the conference itself at the higher fee.

 

   

   

  TRANSPORTATION

  Conference attendees will be responsible for their own transportation to and from the conference site.

The nearest major airports to the NACC conference site are the Mineta San Jose International Airport (SJC), located 10 miles to the southeast of Moffett Field, and the San Francisco International Airport (SFO), located 30 miles to the northwest.

Free parking will be available to all registered conference attendees immediately outside the NACC building.

 

 

  ACCOMMODATIONS

  All accommodations for lodging must be made by the conference attendees themselves. There are many hotels and motels in or near Mountain View, California, just outside of NASA Ames Research Center. At this time, no special rates have been negotiated yet with any lodging establishment. Onsite accomodations may also be booked at the NASA Lodge within the NASA Research Park. Room availability is limited.

A catered light lunch will be provided at the NACC on November 6, 7, and 8 to allow participants to attend the lunch-hour keynote speech(es). The NACC building closes each day at 5:30 p.m. No dinner service is available at the NASA Research Park.

 

 

  FUTURE ANNOUNCEMENTS

  In order to help conference organizers plan the meeting, and to subscribe to a notification list to receive updated information about the conference, please submit the electronic indication of interest form by July 30, 2007.

 

 

  CONTACT INFORMATION

  For further information regarding the format and scientific objectives, contact

    PASCAL LEE
    NASA Ames Research Center
    Mail Stop 245-3
    Moffet Field CA 94035-1000, USA
    Phone: 408-687-7103
    E-mail: [email protected]

    CHRISTOPHER P. MCKAY
    NASA Ames Research Center
    Mail Stop 245-3
    Moffet Field CA 94035-1000, USA
    Phone: 650-604-6864
    E-mail: [email protected]

For further information regarding conference logistics and announcements, contact

    MARY CLOUD
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    Phone: 281-486-2143
    E-mail: [email protected]

For further information regarding abstract submission or registration, contact

    LINDA TANNER
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    Phone: 281-486-2142
    E-mail: [email protected]

 

SCHEDULE
July 30, 2007 Deadline for Indication of Intent
Wednesday,
September 5, 2007
5:00 p.m. CDT

(see time zone map)
Deadline for electronic abstract submission
October 4, 2007 Deadline for preregistration at reduced rate
Deadline for ALL non-U.S. citizens or permanent residents to register
October 22, 2007Deadline for late registration (onsite registration required after this date)
November 5–8, 2007First International Conference on the
Exploration of Phobos and Deimos


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