About Us
VEXAG Goals and Exploration Sites 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.
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 are listed below. Other focus groups may be added, as needed.
| Executive Committe Member | Position/Roles | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Bob Grimm Southwest Research Institute |
Chair | July 2016–December 2018 |
| Martha Gilmore Wesleyan University |
Deputy Chair | August 2016–December 2018 |
| Gary Hunter Glenn Research Center |
Lead, Technology Development and Laboratory Measurements Focus Group | February 2017–February 2020 |
| Lead, Venus Goals and Exploration Sites Focus Group | ||
Candice Gray Joseph O'Rourke |
Co-Leads Lead, Early-Career Scholars Outreach Focus Group |
September 2018–Septemebr 2021 |
| James Cutts Jet Propulsion Laboratory |
Venus Exploration Roadmap Topical Analysis Group and Venus Bridge Focus Group | November 2016–November 2019 |
| Constantine Tsang Southwest Research Institute |
At-Large Member | August 2015–July 2018 |
| Paul Steffes Georgia Tech |
At-Large Member | August 2015–July 2018 |
| Noam Izenberg Applied Physics Lab |
At-Large Member | August 2015–July 2018 |
| Kevin McGouldrick LASP, University of Colorado |
At-Large Member | February 2017–February 2020 |
| Allan Treiman Lunar and Planetary Institute |
At-Large Member | February 2017–February 2020 |
| Lynn Carter University of Arizona |
At-Large Member | February 2017–February 2020 |
| Lori Glaze Goddard Space Flight Center |
Past Chair | October 2015–October 2017 |
| Darby Dyar Mount Holyoke College - |
At-Large Member | July 2018–July 2021 |
| Colin Wilson Oxford University |
At-Large Member | July 2018–July 2021 |
| Patrick McGovern Lunar and Planetary Institute |
At-Large Member | July 2018–July 2021 |
| Emile Royer Laboratory for Atmospheric and Space Physics (LASP) |
At-Large Member | July 2018–July 2021 |
| Giada Arney NASA Goddard |
At-Large Member | September 2018–September 2021 |
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.
Suzanne Smrekar
JPL, Pasadena, California
Sanjay Limaye
University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin
Lori Glaze
Goddard Space Flight Center
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 Executive Officer for VEXAG
Dr. Allan Treiman, LPI