Lunar and Planetary Institute






The Importance of Solar System Sample Return Missions to the Future of Planetary Science

Sponsored by
NASA Planetary Science Division
Lunar and Planetary Institute

Conveners
Catharine Conley, NASA
    Planetary Protection

Meenakshi Wadhwa, CAPTEM Chair
Clive Neal, University of Notre Dame
David Beaty, NASA Mars Program
    Office

Deborah Bass, NASA Mars
    Program Office


First Announcement — November 2010

Meeting Location and date

The Importance of Solar System Sample Return Missions to the Future of Planetary Science will be held at The Woodlands Waterway Marriott Hotel and Convention Center, The Woodlands, Texas, on March 5–6, 2011, just prior to the Lunar and Planetary Science Conference.

Purpose and Scope

The workshop will focus on why sample return science is important to the future of solar system science and exploration, including the implications for NASA as it plans and implements future missions to a variety of solar system locations. Experienced planetary sample scientists will share their expertise and experience with early career planetary scientists, which include graduate students and researchers less than 10 years subsequent to receiving their Ph.D.

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts (one page) may be submitted for oral or poster presentation.

Topics

  • What kinds of solar system science and exploration questions can be addressed using sample return?
  • The potential solar system targets of interest for sample return
  • Similarities and differences in sample-related issues for different targets of interest
  • The importance (or not) of sample selection and acquisition on these targets of interest
  • Mechanics of sample return (sampling devices — at the object, robotic handling devices — when back on Earth, environmental controls, etc.)
  • Storage, curation on the target of interest, during transit, and back on Earth
  • Planetary protection and implications for sample collection and handling, including constraints on containment and biohazard testing of samples that might contain life

Abstract Deadline — Tuesday, December 14, 2010, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Standard Time (GMT-6)

  • No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
  • Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.
  • Abstracts are limited to one page.
  • All abstracts must be submitted in PDF format.
  • All abstracts must be submitted in U.S. letter size format (8.5" x 11"); A4 submissions will be rejected by the system.
  • Abstract file sizes must be no larger than 1.5 MB; larger files will be automatically rejected by the system.

Note:  USRA/LPI has recently launched a new login system in our Meeting Portal. To participate in our meetings, create a personal profile. By logging in with your e-mail address, completing electronic forms such as indication of interest, abstract submission, or registration is quick and easy. The estimated time to complete the profile is four (4) minutes. You will have the opportunity to update your contact information at any time.

Preparation and Submission of Abstracts

Step 1: Download the appropriate template

Step 2: Write your abstract (no more than one page) using the format shown in the template

Step 3: Create a PDF file (no larger than 1.5 MB)

Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload your abstract file

Authors are encouraged to start the submission process early so our staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems. For technical assistance, contact Linda Tanner (281-486-2142) or Renée Dotson (281-486-2188), or send an e-mail message to [email protected].

Unable to Produce PDF Files? If you are unable to produce a PDF file, you may send your source file (must be in Word or PostScript format) to the LPI no later than December 10, 2010. We will create the PDF file and send it back to you, but it will still be your responsibility to submit that PDF file by the time of the deadline. Source files should be sent to [email protected].

Registration

Participants are encouraged to register early to benefit from the lower registration fee. There will be NO onsite registration, so participants must register by February 25.

  Through February 1, 2011 February 2–25, 2011
Registration Fee $40.00 $65.00

Credit card registrations:  Participants registering by credit card MUST use the secure electronic registration form.

Other methods of payment:  Those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, or traveler's check) must contact the meeting registrar for detailed instructions.

Cancellations:  Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through February 25, 2011. Those who fail to attend and do not notify the LPI prior to this date will forfeit their full fee.

Travel Support

Early career scientists (less than 10 years after receiving their Ph.D. degree) are encouraged to participate. Partial travel support may be requested for up to $1K. The award applicant must show a demonstrated involvement or interest in planetary sample studies. The award applicant must also be the senior author of the abstract and the major contributor of the material presented. The majority of the material should not have been previously presented at another meeting. Judging will be based on the written abstract.

Application:   To apply for the award, applicants MUST complete the application form. The form must be completed and submitted by e-mail or fax to Deborah Bass (e-mail:  [email protected]; fax:  818-393-5074) no later than December 15, 2010 (the day AFTER the abstract deadline). Applicants must include their abstract confirmation number on the application form. A current CV and publication list should be included as part of the application.

Logistics

For information about the conference venue, accommodations, maps and directions, etc., please refer to the 42nd LPSC website.

Contact Information

For questions regarding logistics, contact:
Katy Buckaloo
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone:  281-486-2106
E-mail:  [email protected]

For questions regarding registration or abstracts, contact:
Linda Tanner
Lunar and Planetary Institute
Phone:  281-486-2142
E-mail: [email protected]

Schedule

Abstract Deadline December 14, 2010
Travel Award Deadline December 15, 2010
Final Announcement with Program and Abstracts Available Online December 31, 2010
Early Registration Deadline February 1, 2011
Registration Closes February 25, 2011
The Importance of Solar System Sample Return Missions to the Future of Planetary Science March 5–6, 2011