POC: Craig Moore, 256-544-7585, Craig.E.Moore@nasa.gov
The Marshall Space Flight Center is sponsoring a Space Sensors and Measurement Techniques workshop in August to discuss new technologies for sensor development. The two-day workshop will be held Aug. 5-6, 2008, at the Nashville Doubletree Hotel, Nashville, Tenn.
Continue reading "NASA Marshall to Host Space Sensors Workshop" »
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON), is intended to provide opportunities for science and technology investigations on space flight missions that advance the high priority science, technology, and exploration objectives of NASA's four Mission Directorates. This five-year omnibus Announcement of Opportunity (AO) incorporates Program Element Appendices (PEAs) for general Mission of Opportunity (MO) proposal opportunities as well as focused proposal opportunities for specific flight opportunities.
Continue reading "Lunar Dust Detector Instrument Opportunity Added to SALMON AO" »
This amendment announces a new proposal opportunity in Appendix E.7 entitled "Concept Studies for Human Tended Suborbital Science". NASA recognizes the advancement of the commercial spaceflight industry and the potential for human-tended suborbital flight experiments enabled by this capability. The imminent emergence of human suborbital flight for commercial purposes offers an opportunity for a new mode of research for the scientific community: human-tended suborbital investigations for cases where having a human in-the-loop would increase the scientific return of flight experiments.
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) issues this DRAFT Standard PI-led Mission Announcement of Opportunity (AO) to solicit community comments.
This DRAFT Standard PI-led Mission AO represents a restructuring of previous NASA AOs for PI-led missions (e.g., 2006 Discovery Program AO, 2006 Mars Scout Program AO, 2007 Small Explorer Program AO). It is the product of an effort by NASA (the "AO Simplification Team") to simplify and remove burden from the community in generating Step 1 proposals that respond to AOs. The AO Simplification effort has solicited comments from the proposing, evaluating, and implementing communities. There have been several community announcements, town halls at science conferences, and community workshops to discuss the pros and cons of AO Simplification and specific ideas with the community. The AO Simplification Team has received over 700 specific suggestions from the community and has considered all of them. A White Paper has been developed by the AO Simplification Team that captures the rationale for many of the decisions that were made in writing the DRAFT Standard PI-led Mission AO. That White Paper will be posted on the same NSPIRES website as this DRAFT AO.
Continue reading "Draft Standard Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for PI-led Missions" »
This amendment announces a new proposal opportunity in Appendix D.9 entitled "Kepler Guest Observer - Cycle 1." This program element solicits proposals for the acquisition and analysis of new scientific data from the Kepler mission, which will be the tenth mission to be launched under NASA's Discovery Program. Observations associated with the Kepler Guest Observer -- Cycle 1 solicitation will begin immediately following the successful scientific commissioning of the spacecraft. During its 3.5-year prime mission, Kepler will continuously monitor a ~100 square degree field-of-view (FOV) in the Cygnus region, with the objective of photometrically detecting transits of Earth-size planets in the habitable zone. The instrument's high-precision photometry capability, with two available cadence modes (1 minute and 30-minute) is also sufficient for asteroseismology research and other variability analyses of both Galactic and extragalactic sources.
ESA has issued a 'Call for Declarations of Interest in Science Instrumentation' for the M-class Cosmic Vision mission studies Plato, Cross Scale and Marco Polo. A similar call for the M-class mission study Euclid will follow on 15 May.
Prospective Principal Investigators are invited to submit proposals outlining the composition of nationally funded consortia to carry out assessment level studies. Responses are due by 16:00 CET on 30 June 2008.
Full details at http://sci.esa.int/cvpl_call
The Space Studies Board and the Aeronautics and Space Engineering Board of the National Research Council (NRC) have begun a study of science opportunities enabled by NASA's Constellation system of launch vehicles and spacecraft. The Committee on Science Opportunities Enabled by NASA's Constellation System will first analyze a set of "Vision Mission" concepts provided by NASA.
Continue reading "RFI from NRC on Science Opportunities Enabled by NASA's Constellation System" »
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON), is intended to provide regular opportunities for science and technology investigations on space flight missions that advance the high priority science, technology, and exploration objectives of NASA's four Mission Directorates.
Continue reading "Draft Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity: Notice Announcement of Opportunity" »
The Government is seeking information regarding existing instruments (such as flight spares and engineering models) that could be quickly flight qualified, accommodated, and flown on the Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE), scheduled for a 2010-2011 launch. The Government is also interested in potential "build to print" possibilities from existing flight instruments, in the event that there are no flight spares available.
Continue reading "RFI for Lunar Atmosphere and Dust Environment Explorer (LADEE)" »
Science Mission Directorate, NASA
Solicitation Number: NNH08ZDA005L
Release Date: March 14, 2008
Response Date: April 9, 2008
NASA is soliciting ideas and suggestions from the science and research communities on potential new uses of existing NASA science spacecraft that support NASA's science goals.
Full Proposal Deadline Date: May 28, 2008
Lack of essential observations from space is currently a major limiting factor in space weather research. Recent advances in sensor and spacecraft technolo
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) recognizes the advancement of the commercial suborbital spaceflight industry and requests information on potential human-tended flight experiments enabled by this capability. NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is in the formulation phase of a possible new program to fly government-sponsored payloads and researchers on commercial suborbital systems with the intent of advancing SMD's goals and objectives. Responses to this RFI (NNH08ZDA004L) will be used to inform NASA's program planning.
NASA Science Mission Directorate to Sponsor NASA Academy of Program, Project, and Engineering Leadership (APPEL) Mission Principal Investigator Training Course
Beginning in 2008, the NASA Science Mission Directorate (SMD) will be sponsoring a series of offerings of a one-week Mission Principal Investigator (PI) Training Course to help mission PIs lead NASA science missions more effectively.
This amendment announces new due dates and revisions to Appendix D.3 of ROSES-2007 entitled Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis (APRA).
The proposal due dates for APRA have been changed to be several weeks earlier than previously announced. Notices of Intent to propose are now due February 15, 2008, and proposals are now due March 28, 2008.
Continue reading "Astronomy and Physics Research and Analysis (APRA)" »
In response to recommendations from the NASA Advisory Council's Planetary Science Subcommittee and to findings from the Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG), during 2008 NASA will be conducting mission architecture studies for accomplishing Decadal Survey science objectives for Venus. NASA is forming a Science and Technology Definition Team (STDT) for Venus that will work directly with engineers and mission formulation experts.
Continue reading "Letters of Interest for Venus Science Definition Team Due Dec. 15th" »
This amendment announces a proposal opportunity in Appendix C.20 of ROSES-2007 entitled "Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets" (ASTEP).
ROSES-07 Amendment 28: This amendment reinstates a previously deferred program element in Appendix C.19 of ROSES-2007 now entitled "Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development, including Concept Studies for Small Payloads and Satellites" (ASTID).
This amendment reinstates a previously deferred program element in Appendix C.19 of ROSES-2007 now entitled "Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development, including Concept Studies for Small Payloads and Satellites" (ASTID). This program element requests proposals to develop instrumentation capabilities to help meet Astrobiology science requirements on future space flight missions as well as unique Astrobiology science objectives on Earth.
Release Date: September 28, 2007
Notice of Intent: November 16, 2007
Proposals Due: January 15, 2008
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is releasing a NASA Announcement of Opportunity (NNH07ZDA003O), for the Explorer Program: Small Explorers (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity. NASA expects to select up to three SMEX missions to proceed into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. NASA desires to launch the first SMEX mission by late 2011 or 2012; the launch-by date for all SMEX missions is April 30, 2014.
The Planetary Protection Research program solicits proposals in three areas: improvements in sterilization technologies for spacecraft and components, methods for detecting the very low levels of biological contamination present on or in spacecraft or components, and characterizations of the capacity for Earth organisms to survive in other planetary conditions using laboratory simulations. The due date for proposals is September 5, 2007.
Continue reading "NASA Planetary Protection Research Program Opportunity" »
The NASA Foton-M3 team visited Moscow May 14-25, 2007. Flight Simulation Tests (FST) of 4 biology experiments were completed and all scientific procedures for the Foton-M3 flight experiments were completed. Foton-M3 studies with newts, geckos, snails and microbial cultures will examine how learning, behavior, tissue regeneration, genetic responses, growth, and other factors respond to exposure to spaceflight.
Continue reading "FOTON-M3 Team Completes Flight Simulation Tests" »
The NASA Ames Exobiology Program and the NAI have been asked to contribute candidate astrobiology spaceflight experiments for small satellites. A three-day workshop will be held with leaders in the fields of astrobiology, astrophysics, and planetary science. Find out more at: http://amesevents.arc.nasa.gov/asp/
NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) plans to release an Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for new Small Explorer (SMEX) missions and Missions of Opportunity in October of this year. The Explorer Program conducts Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations in SMD's astrophysics and heliophysics programs. It is anticipated that approximately six to eight full-mission SMEX investigations will be selected for 4-month Phase A concept studies through this AO.
Continue reading "NASA Explorer Program Announcement of Opportunity" »
The Lab-On-a-Chip Application Development Portable Test System (LOCAD-PTS) is an instrument developed by the NAI Carnegie Institution of Washington Team over the past 4 years in collaboration with NASA Marshall Space Flight Center and Charles River Labs. LOCAD-PTS was flown to and recently tested aboard the International Space Station (ISS) to enable crew to monitor microorganisms and potentially hazardous chemicals within the cabin environment. The successful test is the first demonstration of this new technology, from sampling to data retrieval - by an astronaut in space. http://science.nasa.gov/headlines/y2007/06apr_locad2.htm?list123050 [Source: NAI Newsletter]
Bruce Jakosky, PI of NAI's University of Colorado, Boulder Team, has been selected to develop his Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution, or MAVEN, mission proposal. His was one of just two proposals selected for future robotic missions to Mars.
Continue reading "NAI Principal Investigator Named in Mars Scout Selections" »
Mission Status Report: NASA's Orbiting GeneSat-1 Radios Date to Team on Earth
"The GeneSat-1 ground control station at NASA Ames will receive data radioed from the micro-laboratory after it has completed its observations and tests of the bacteria inside. The biological test will last only 96 hours, but the GeneSat-1 team will evaluate the stability of the orbiting payload's systems for four months to a year. The Small Spacecraft Office at NASA's Ames teamed up with industry and local universities to develop the fully automated, miniature GeneSat spaceflight system that provides life support for small living things."
GeneSat Mission Dashboard, Santa Clara University
GeneSat1, Real Time Satellite Tracking, NORAD ID: 29655 Int'l Code: 2006-058C
NASA's GeneSat-1 Reaches Orbit on Air Force Rocket, NASA
"NASA's GeneSat-1 rode an Air Force rocket into Earth orbit on Dec. 16, 2006 at 4 a.m. PST (7 a.m. EST) from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va. The satellite's locator beacon has been detected, and data has been received as GeneSat-1 orbits Earth, according to scientists."
New Launch Target Date Set for NASA's GeneSat-1 Satellite
Posted by RCC on 2006-12-15 at 09:16:58 EST
"The Air Force TacSat-2/Minotaur 1 launch is on schedule for Saturday, Dec. 16. The launch window is 7 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. The TACSAT-2 micro satellite’s software issues have been resolved and it has been cleared for launch. Updates on the status of the launch will begin at 2 a.m. The launch will be visible in the surrounding area. A good vantage point to view the launch is the beach parking area on Assateague Island. Gates to Assateague Island National Seashore open at 6 a.m."
The National Science Foundation (NSF) invites proposals for the Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI). See Program Solicitation NSF 07-510 at: http://www.nsf.gov/pubs/2007/nsf07510/nsf07510.htm This solicitation addresses major instrument acquisition or instrument development that is too costly for support through other NSF programs.
Continue reading "NSF Major Research Instrumentation Program (MRI) Call for Proposals" »
ROSES-06 Amendment No. 12: Due date delay for PLANETARY INSTRUMENT DEFINITION AND DEVELOPMENT 2006 -The proposal due date for proposals to the Planetary Instrument Definition and Development program (PIDDP) described in Appendix C.17 of the NASA Research Announcement (NRA) entitled "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2006", NNH06ZDA001N, released January 23, 2006, have been changed. The due date for PIDDP proposals is changed from August 18, 2006, to September 27, 2006.
ROSES-06 Amendment 13: New proposal opportunity for Concept Studies for Lunar Sortie Science Opportunities - With this amendment to ROSES-2006, NASA establishes a new program element in Appendix E.4 entitled "Concept Studies for Lunar Sortie Science Opportunities (LSSO)."
Bigelow Spacecraft Carries NASA 'GeneBox' for Tests in Orbit, NASA ARC
"On July 12, a Russian rocket lofted 'GeneBox' into Earth orbit within Bigelow Corporation's Genesis I test spacecraft. Attached to the large inflatable spacecraft's internal structure, GeneBox contains a miniature laboratory. In future flights, it will analyze how the near weightlessness of space affects genes in microscopic cells and other small life forms."
NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG) Meeting Report May 4-5th 2006
The Outer Planets Assessment Group is a NASA-supported forum for scientists and engineers to discuss exploration of the outer solar system and to enhance communication between community and NASA. The meeting of the Outer Planets Assessment Group held at the Westin Hotel, Pasadena, CA 4-5th, 2005 was attended by ~80 people.
A satellite session is scheduled for November 2, 2006, from 2-5 p.m., the day before the 22nd annual ASGSB meeting officially starts. The title of the session is "Small Satellites as Platforms for Science."
Continue reading "Small Satellites as Platforms for Science" »
The NAI sponsored workshop of the Europa Focus Group at NASA Ames Research Center, from February 27 - 28, 2006, involvied 115 participants. Presentations from this successful meeting are now available at: http://astrobiology.asu.edu/focus/europa/discuss/discuss.html
"Review of the Next Decade Mars Architecture" is tentatively scheduled for release during June. However, release dates of National Academies reports depend on successful completion of the review process and on printing schedules.
This report evaluates NASA's Mars exploration program for the next 10 years, and looks at whether it optimizes scientific returns, given the agency's current funding limitations. The report also discusses whether the program incorporates findings from current missions and follows guidelines outlined in a previous report from the Research Council.
Continue reading "NRC Report on Next Decade Mars Architecture" »
Safe on Mars, Astrobiology Magazine
"The National Research Council was tasked with evaluating the risks of landing humans safely to work on Mars. Their report highlights a number of unique aspects in transit to the red planet, as well as once humans step out onto the surface."