Vexag Charter/Focus Groups

The Venus Exploration Analysis Group is NASA's community-based forum designed to provide scientific input and technology development plans for planning and prioritizing the exploration of Venus over the next several decades, including a Venus surface sample return. VEXAG is chartered by NASA's Solar System Exploration Division and reports its findings to NASA. Open to all interested scientists, VEXAG regularly evaluates Venus exploration goals, scientific objectives, investigations and critical measurement requirements, including especially recommendations in the NRC Decadal Survey and the Solar System Exploration Strategic Roadmap.

VEXAG Committee

Co-chairs

Sanjay Limaye
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin

Suzanne Smrekar
JPL, Pasadena, California

Focus Groups

Competed Missions and ROSES Focus Group – Lori Glaze (GSFC), Lead

Charter and Membership

International Venus Exploration Working Group – Mark Bullock (SwRI), Lead

Technology Development and Laboratory Measurements Focus Group – Tibor Kremic (GRC) and Pat Beauchamp (JPL), Co-Leads

Charter and Membership

Venus Goals and Objectives (Document) and Venus Exploration Sites Focus Group – Buck Sharpton (LPI), Lead

Charter and Membership

Young Scholars Focus Group – Stephanie Johnston (U-Maryland) and Danielle Piskorz (MIT/Carnegie Institute), Co-Leads

In addition to interested members of the scientific community, each focus group will include technology experts, NASA representatives, international partner representatives, EPO experts, and the chair. The current focus groups and their leads are listed above. Other focus groups may be added, as needed.

Past VEXAG Co-Chairs (in chronological order)

Janet Luhmann
University of California, Berkeley, California

Sushil Atreya
University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Michigan

Ellen Stofan
Proxemy, Inc.

Steve Mackwell served as Focus Group Lead for Planetary Formation and Evolution since VEXAG was formed in 2005 until spring 2009. Janet Luhmann, and Sushil Atreya, served as VEXAG Co-Chairs since VEXAG was formed in 2005 until November 2009. Ellen Stofan served as VEXAG Chair from November 2007 until spring 2009.

NASA and LPI contacts:

Dr. Adriana Ocampo, NASA Headquarters
Dr. Thomas W. Thompson, NASA/JPL
Dr. Steve Mackwell, LPI

Last updated
December 8, 2011