Final Announcement — September 2007

 

SPONSORS —
Mars Institute,
Lunar and Planetary Institute,
National Aeronautics and
   Space Administration,
NASA's Mars Exploration
   Program,
Canadian Space Agency,
European Space Agency,
Space Research Institute of the
   Russian Academy of Sciences,
Planetary Science Institute,
SETI Institute,
The Planetary Society,
International Association of
   Astronomical Artists

CORPORATE
   SPONSORS —
The Boeing Company,
Firestar Engineering,
Hamilton Sundstrand,
Optech Incorporated

CONVENERS —
Pascal Lee,
   Mars Institute, SETI Institute,
   and NASA Ames
   Research Center,
David Beaty,
   NASA Mars Program Office,
Alain Berinstain,
   Canadian Space Agency,
Geoffrey Briggs,
   NASA Ames Research Center,
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 New Mexico,
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 Conference on the Exploration of Phobos and Deimos will be held at the NASA Ames Research Center, Moffett Field, California, on November 5–7, 2007.

 

  KEY POINTS:
Date:
  November 5–7, 2007
Location:
  NASA Ames Research Center
  Moffett 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 on Phobos and Deimos, and on how their exploration relates to that of the Moon, Mars, and the solar system beyond. The conference will be an open international forum bringing together 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 and other near-Earth objects (NEOs) 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 rest of the solar system and its processes;

  • review and coordinate upcoming robotic reconnaissance efforts to Phobos and Deimos, including the role such missions might play in support of Mars sample return; and

  • discuss the potential roles of Phobos and Deimos in consideration of future human exploration missions to the Moon, Mars, and near-Earth objects (NEOs).
An anticipated outcome of the conference will be a clearer definition of the place Phobos and Deimos could hold in future planetary exploration, both robotic and manned, and recommendations regarding the possible next steps to take.

 

 

 

  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 will have the format of a workshop and is intended primarily for space scientists, engineers, space exploration professionals, and students. The meeting will focus in turn on three areas relating to the exploration of Phobos and Deimos: science, robotic reconnaissance, and human exploration.

The meeting will comprise a single-track plenary session for oral presentations (invited talks and selected oral contributions) and discussions; a poster session; and special events, including a welcome reception, an Asaph Hall memorabilia exhibit, a space art exhibit, and keynote talks.

ORAL PRESENTATIONS
Invited and contributed presentations are scheduled for Tuesday morning, afternoon, and Wednesday morning. The presentations are scheduled to allow 10 minutes for speaking and 5 minutes for discussion and will address the following categories of questions:

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? How might missions to Phobos and/or Deimos support Mars sample return?

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?

Audio-visual equipment available will include an LCD projector and a PC laptop. Presenters will be able to either use their own laptop or bring their presentation on a USB memory drive to download on the laptop PC provided at the meeting.

POSTER PRESENTATIONS
A poster session is scheduled after the lunch break on Wednesday, November 7. Authors must be present to discuss their posters at the scheduled session from 12:15–12:45 p.m. Posters will remain on display throughout the conference. Posters will be displayed on single easel tripods. Posters should be designed to be attached to 3' × 5' foam boards, which will be provided.

SYNTHESIS SESSION
A final session on Wednesday afternoon will examine what key next steps need to be taken in the exploration of Phobos and Deimos, with the goal of offering recommendations on how best to proceed.

 

  SPECIAL EVENTS
  Special events will include a welcome reception co-sponsored by NASA and by the Mars Institute in the afternoon of Monday, November 5; display and exhibit inaugurals that same afternoon; and keynote talks on November 6 and 7 by distinguished guests, including:
November 6
8:30 –9:00 a.m.Dr. Steven J. Dick
NASA Chief Historian, NASA Public Affairs Office
"The Discovery and Exploration of Phobos and Deimos"
12:15 –12:45 p.m.Dr. S. Peter Worden
Director, NASA Ames Research Center
"Phobos, Deimos, and the Vision for Space Exploration"
1:45 –2:15 a.m.Dr. Alexander Zakharov
Space Research Institute, Russian Academy of Sciences
"The Phobos Sample Return Mission"
November 7
8:30 –9:00 a.m.TBD

A unique NASA-sponsored display of historical memorabilia associated with the discovery of Phobos and Deimos by American astronomer Asaph Hall will be unveiled at the NACC on the afternoon of November 5.

Special events at the NACC will also include a Space Art Exhibit on the theme of Mars, Phobos, and Deimos exploration, co-sponsored by the International Association of Astronomical Artists (IAAA) and by the Mars Institute. The exhibit, to be inaugurated on the afternoon of November 5, will feature artwork by IAAA members and will be co-hosted by planetary scientist and space artist Dr. William K. Hartmann of the Planetary Science Institute and by space artist Walter Myers.

The display and exhibit will remain viewable only during the conference.

 

 
  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 Research Park site.

 

  
  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 and Wednesday; and the conference program and abstract volume.

Conference registration is required from all participants to the conference. 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 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.

A block of rooms has been reserved for conference attendees at the NASA Exchange Lodge (Tel: 650-603-7100, Group code "Phobos") on the grounds of the NASA Research Park. Rates offered are: single-occupancy rooms: $55/night/room; double-occupancy rooms: $60/night/room. No additional taxes apply. The NASA Exchange Lodge offers ample free parking and is located within walking distance (300 m or so) from the NACC. The NASA Exchange Lodge does not offer any meal service (not even breakfast) nor any internet access.

In addition, 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 with any lodging establishment outside the NASA Research Park area.

A catered light lunch will be available at the NACC on November 6 and 7. The NACC building closes each day at 5:00 p.m. No dinner service is available at the NASA Research Park.

 

  
  INTERNET ACCESS
  Wireless internet access will be available at the NACC to all conference participants who sign up in advance to obtain a wireless account (IP address, username, and password). This secure information will be made available only to those who have signed up in advance upon their arrival at the NACC registration desk. No computers will be available for general (shared) use at the NACC. Conference participants who wish to have a wireless account during the meeting should contact Kimberly Taylor before October 24, 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

    KIMBERLY TAYLOR
    Lunar and Planetary Institute
    Phone: 281-486-2151
    E-mail: [email protected]

 

SCHEDULE
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 5–7, 2007First International Conference on the
Exploration of Phobos and Deimos

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