May 2–3, 2023 OPAG Meeting
Laurel, MD/Virtual

The next OPAG meeting is scheduled for May 2–3, 2023 in Laurel, Maryland. The meeting will include opportunities for virtual participation.

OPAG is NASA's community-based forum designed to provide science input for planning and prioritizing outer planet exploration activities for the next several decades. The focus of this meeting will include updates from NASA HQ, updates on current missions, and aspects of the Decadal Survey that are relevant to OPAG.

We understand some people may not feel comfortable attending in person, so please consider participating in the meeting virtually and contributing to OPAG in that way.

Agenda

The preliminary agenda is now available. Please check this website for updates as the meeting date approaches.

View Agenda  

Oral Presenter Information

To facilitate a smooth transition between speakers, all presentations (in-person and remote) will be collected ahead of time and shared from the room at the venue.

Presentation Submission Deadline: April 28, 2023, 5:00 p.m. CDT

  • File Name Format: PresentationTime_LastName
    • Presentation time should be in 24-hour format (e.g., 0830, 1300, or 1415).
    • If submitting an updated file, add the version number to the end of the file name (AbstractNumber_LastName_v#).
  • Accepted presentation file format: PowerPoint, widescreen (16:9)
  • Upload slides: https://app.box.com/f/9fe18f01df2f48ae9ae2c9c2649c139b
    • If your upload is successful, a Success! pop-up will appear on your screen. You will not receive a confirmation email.
    • The upload link to Box is the only acceptable method of presentation submission. No presentations will be accepted via email or memory devices (e.g., USB drives).

Posters and Lightning Talks

OPAG will host a poster session on the evening of May 2, for in-person attendees. Posters can focus on Inclusion, Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility (IDEA), research, mission concepts, technology developments, etc. A brief lightning talk (1–2 minutes) will be given during the OPAG meeting to advertise the poster before the poster session. For those virtual attendees who would like to present, we can offer a longer lightning talk (4–5 minutes, depending on the number of presentations). Please submit your interest for a poster/lightning talk using this form. If you have questions, contact Kate Craft ([email protected]) and Kunio Sayanagi ([email protected]).

Submission deadline: April 20, 2023

Optional Abstract Archiving Opportunity

The upcoming OPAG meeting will offer all presenters an opportunity to archive an abstract of their presentations. While open to all, we especially welcome abstracts by students and early-career researchers. The main benefit of submitting an abstract is that your OPAG research will be searchable on databases such as NASA’s Astrophysics Data System. Submission of an abstract is optional.

Optional abstract submission deadline: April 20, 2023

Preparation and Submission of Abstracts
Step 1: Download the appropriate template.
Step 2: Write the abstract (no more than one page) using the format shown in the template.
Step 3: Create a PDF file (no larger than 3 MB).
Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload the abstract file.

Registration

Registration fees are not being collected for this meeting, but registration is required. Registration for in-person attendance will be available through April 20, 2023 and will reopen onsite. Virtual attendance will be available through May 3, 2023.

Important: In-person attendees who are not U.S. citizens must register no later than April 20 to comply with JHU APL entry and ID requirements. See the JHU APL website for more information.

Tours of JHU APL facilities will be offered each morning before the OPAG meeting for registered OPAG in-person attendees. Sign up by April 20, 2023: https://forms.gle/ysqfeHexn4efSDzD6.

OPAG Meeting Participation Support

Stipend Opportunities
The OPAG Steering Committee is offering a limited number of stipends for in-person and virtual attendance and participation. 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. Stipends will be paid to recipients after the meeting and upon verification of attendance.

Application deadline: April 13, 2023

Meeting Participation Support Criteria and Requirements

  • 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 OPAG meeting.
  • Explain how attending this meeting will benefit your career.
  • Explain how important receiving this support enabling 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.

Submit your application using the online form.

COVID-19 Protocols

Check this website and the JHU APL website often for updated 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

Logistics

Meeting Location
JHU APL, Building 200, room E100 is located at 11001 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel, MD 20723.

JHU APL map

Hotel Information
Attendees are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations.

Reservation deadline for the best rate: April 21, 2023

Residence Inn Columbia By Marriott
9.6 miles from JHU APL
Reservation Link 

Sonesta Select Columbia
7 miles from JHU APL
Reservation Link 

Other nearby hotels 

Airport Information
The Laurel area is serviced by two major airports: Baltimore/Washington International Airport (20 miles from the meeting venue) and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (33 miles from the meeting venue).

Contacts

For information regarding the meeting content:

Amanda Hendrix
Email: [email protected]

Kate Craft
Email: [email protected]

Kunio Sayanagi
Email: [email protected]


For information regarding all other meeting details:

Mary Harrison
Meeting and Publication Services
USRA/Lunar and Planetary Institute
Email: [email protected]