MEPAG Hybrid Meeting #40
The MEPAG (Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group) is scheduled to meet April 11–12, 2023, at the University of Arizona D.C. Center for Outreach and Collaboration in Washington, D.C. This two-day meeting will consist of in-person and virtual oral presentations on a range of topics pertinent to the Mars exploration community.
Purpose and Scope
The meeting will include a presentation and discussion of the draft Mars Exploration Program (MEP) strategy. As recommended by the Origins, Worlds, and Life (OWL) Decadal Survey, the MEP strategy seeks to define the architecture of the MEP for the coming decade, incorporating input from a range of external and internal reports. The draft strategy is currently being circulated for comments by stakeholders at NASA Headquarters, prior to discussion with MEPAG. Additionally, the meeting will include updates from current and future Mars missions and updates from NASA Headquarters.
Agenda
The presentations and recordings from the meeting are available by viewing the agenda.
Registration
Registration fees are not being collected for this meeting, but registration is required. Registration for in-person attendance will be available through March 31, 2023, or when the in-person limit of 100 is reached, whichever occurs first. There will be no onsite registration. Registration for virtual attendance will be available through April 12, 2023.
MEPAG Meeting Participation Support
The MEPAG Steering Committee is pleased to announce the availability of a limited amount of support for in-person and virtual attendance at the MEPAG Hybrid Meeting #40. This support ensures active participation in the meeting by students and early-career researchers (less than ten years from Ph.D. serving in a non-tenured or equivalent position). The support may cover costs associated with travel and/or defraying child or elder care.
Meeting Participation Support Criteria
- Eligible applicants: students and early-career researchers (less than ten years from Ph.D. serving in a non-tenured or equivalent position)
- Explain how you plan to participate in the MEPAG meeting.
- Explain how attending this meeting will benefit your career.
- Explain how receiving this support will enable your in-person or virtual attendance.
- Be able to receive income in the United States (stipends are considered income).
- Civil servants and members of the military are not eligible for this support.
- Stipends will be paid after the conclusion of the meeting.
COVID-19 Protocols
Hand sanitizer and masks will be available at the meeting. Please check this website regularly for updates.
Reporting Positive Cases
Attendees who receive a positive test result during the OPAG meeting are not allowed to enter the meeting venue and must immediately quarantine. These attendees are encouraged to share positive test results with a USRA/LPI HR representative: [email protected]. For contact tracing purposes, a list of close contacts without masking will be requested. All information will be considered HR confidential.
Additional Resources
- World Health Organization (WHO) COVID-19 Pandemic
- U.S. State Department Requirements for Air Travelers to the U.S.
- U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Center (CDC) Travel Guidelines
- CDC COVID Data Tracker
- CDC Coronavirus Self-Checker
Logistics
Meeting Location
The University of Arizona in Washington, D.C. is located at 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW, Suite 500 Washington, D.C. 20004. In-person attendees must bring a government issued ID (e.g., driver’s license, passport) to ensure access to the meeting venue.
The venue is easily accessible via the D.C. Metro on the Blue, Orange, Red, and Silver Lines. For timetables, maps, and information visit the Washington Metro Area Transit Authority.
- Taxis and rideshare options are readily available throughout Washington, D.C. and will be easy to access when departing the venue.
- Limited street parking is available in the blocks surrounding the venue. If you cannot find a metered spot, the following local parking garages are recommended:
Hotel Information
Attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations. Room blocks are available at the hotels listed below.
Reservation deadline: March 31, 2023
- AC Hotel Marriot
1.1 miles from the University of Arizona in Washington D.C.
Reservation link - Hyatt Place
2 miles from the University of Arizona in Washington D.C.
Reservation link
Airport Information
The closest airport is Ronald Reagan Washington National (D.C.A., 3.2 miles from the meeting venue).
Contacts
Aileen Yingst, MEPAG Chair
Planetary Science Institute
For information regarding the scientific content of the meeting:
Jonathan Bapst
Mars Exploration Program Office
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology
Email: [email protected]
For information regarding all other meeting details:
Tiffany Sumpter
Meeting and Publication Services
USRA/Lunar and Planetary Institute
Email: [email protected]
Code of Conduct
USRA/LPI is committed to providing a harassment-free experience for everyone regardless of gender, gender identity and expression, sexual orientation, disability, physical appearance, body size, age, race, religion, or other protected status. We do not tolerate harassment of meeting participants in any form. USRA/LPI expects that all participants will abide by this Code of Conduct, creating an environment free from harassment, discrimination, disruption, incivility, or violence of any kind. We expect participants to exercise consideration and respect in their speech and actions and refrain from demeaning, discriminatory, or harassing behavior. Report issues, concerns, or violations of this Code of Conduct directly to USRA/LPI management at USRA-LPI Meetings Code of Conduct. The full USRA/LPI Code of Conduct can be found here.