The Planetary Instrument Definition and Development (PIDD) program solicits proposals to define and develop scientific instruments or components of such instruments to the point where the instruments may be proposed in response to future announcements of flight opportunity without additional extensive technology development.

This amendment delays the proposal due date for C.16 Planetary Instrument Definition and Development (PIDD) Program. Programmatic schedule conflicts at NASA Headquarters have postponed the PIDD peer review and hence the date when SMD must have proposals. A corresponding deferral of the PIDD due date will provide the community additional time to prepare proposals. The proposal due date for PIDD has been changed to Friday, September 17, 2010. Table 2 and Table 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA have been updated to reflect this change.

This Amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010" (NNH10ZDA001N) isposted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH10ZDA001N"). You can now track amendments, clarifications and corrections to ROSES and subscribe to an RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2010

Questions concerning PIDD may be addressed to Janice Buckner, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-0183; Email: janice.l.buckner@nasa.gov.

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:42 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Dear Colleague: You are invited to participate in the fourth landing site workshop for the 2011 Mars Science Laboratory (MSL) rover mission. The workshop will be held in the vicinity of Pasadena, California, on September 27-29, 2010. The workshop will be held at the DoubleTree Hotel in Monrovia, California, and will be just before the MEPAG meeting to be held at the same location.

This workshop is expected to focus on the outstanding science questions, surface characteristics, and relative merits of the final MSL landing sites remaining under consideration. Outcomes will include a list of testable hypotheses that can be accomplished at each site using the MSL science payload. We anticipate a final, fifth landing site workshop will be held in the early spring of 2011 that will be the final workshop prior to selection of the site by NASA Headquarters.

We are soliciting a range of presentations related to the four remaining landing sites under consideration: Eberswalde crater (23.86*S, 326.73*E), Gale crater (4.49*S, 137.42*E), Holden crater (26.37*S, 325.10*E), and Mawrth Vallis (24.01*N, 341.03*E). Presentations related to refined understanding of the geologic setting and physical nature of the surface at each site are especially welcomed. Talks should emphasize the pros and cons of the science possible at each site relative to the mission science objectives and describe testable hypotheses that can be evaluated using the MSL science payload. Talks on the characteristics of the surface should focus on aspects that are important for landing or roving. Identification of specific candidate science targets and traverses within and/or outside the ellipse (for go to sites) is encouraged. An overview of the mission science objectives, a description of the engineering constraints on surface characteristics important for landing and roving, as well as other aspects of the MSL mission, can be found at http://marsoweb.nas.nasa.gov/landingsites/ and http://webgis.wr.usgs.gov/msl. A description of the MSL science payload may be found at http://msl-scicorner.jpl.nasa.gov/.

All members of the scientific community are encouraged to participate in this important activity. Persons wishing to make a presentation at the workshop should provide a title and brief (several sentence) description of the content to John Grant (grantj@si.edu) and Matt Golombek (mgolombek@jpl.nasa.gov) by August 1, 2010. The input from the science community is critical to identification and evaluation of optimal landing sites for the MSL. We look forward to your continued involvement in these activities!

Sincerely, John Grant and Matt Golombek Co-Chairs, Mars Landing Site Steering Committee

Source: NAI Newsletter

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) program solicits proposals for investigations focused on exploring the Earth's extreme environments in order to develop a sound technical and scientific basis to conduct astrobiological research on other solar system bodies.

This amendment delays the proposal due date for Appendix C.20, Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets (ASTEP) Program. Programmatic schedule conflicts at NASA Headquarters have postponed the ASTEP peer review and hence the date when SMD must have proposals. A corresponding deferral of the ASTEP due date will provide the community additional time to prepare proposals. The proposal due date for ASTEP has been changed to Friday, July 16, 2010. Table 2 and Table 3 of the Summary of Solicitation for this NRA have been updated to reflect this change.

This amendment to the NASA Research Announcement "Research Opportunities in Space and Earth Sciences (ROSES) 2010" (NNH10ZDA001N) is posted on the NASA research opportunity homepage at http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ (select "Solicitations" then "Open Solicitations" then "NNH10ZDA001N"). You can now track amendments, clarifications and corrections to ROSES and subscribe to an RSS feed at: http://nasascience.nasa.gov/researchers/sara/grant-solicitations/roses-2010

Questions concerning ASTEP may be addressed to Mary Voytek, Planetary Science Division, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; Telephone: (202) 358-1577; Email: mary.voytek-1@nasa.gov

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A review panel has been chartered by the Planetary Science Division at NASA headquarters, subsequently named the "Planetary Science Technology Review" (PSTR) panel. The primary purpose of the PSTR panel and its advisors is to assist the Planetary Science Division in developing a coordinated and integrated technology development plan that will better utilize technology resources. To accomplish this, the panel is implementing a review of the current technology developing activities and identifying weaknesses and problems. The panel is also chartered to recommend process and policy changes to address the weaknesses. A critical element of this activity is to communicate to the science and technology communities the existence and status of the PSTR activities and to solicit input throughout the task.

Along these lines the PSTR panel is soliciting community input on the challenges faced by technology development efforts and, more importantly, the panel is seeking sound and innovative solutions to the challenges and problems that exist today. More information on the panel's charter, status, calendar of events, and other items can be found on the PSTR website at http://spaceflightsystems.grc.nasa.gov/PlanetaryScience/. Inputs and questions can be provided by using the "Contact Us" button, blogs, or by direct contact with a panel member or advisor.

Thank you in advance for your input - Tibor Kremic, Panel Chair

[Source: NAI Newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:52 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Stardust Comet Sample Return Mission"
Join us for the next NAI Director's Seminar!

Date/Time: Monday, March 29, 2010 11:00AM Pacific
Speaker: Don Brownlee (University of Washington), PI of Stardust Mission
Title: "Comets and the Early Solar System - Results from the Stardust Comet Sample Return Mission"

The NASA Stardust mission returned hundreds of samples of dust and small rocks from comet Wild 2. Like other Jupiter Family Comets, Wild 2 is believed to have formed beyond Neptune and stored in the Kuiper Belt until its recent migration into the inner solar system. Laboratory analyses of the comet samples provide a remarkably detailed look at the nature of solar nebula materials the resided at the edge of the solar system at the time that planets formed. Isotopically anomalous pre-solar grains have been found in the comet but their abundance is surprisingly low and it is clear that the bulk of micron and larger comet grains formed in the solar system by high temperature processes. The comet contains fragments of familiar high temperature components such as CAIs and chondrules that are well studied components of primitive meteorites. Common components formed in the 1400 to 2000K range These findings show that there was efficient radial transport of 1-100um grains over distances of 10's of AU. The comet seems to be a well preserved "grab bag" of components that formed in hot regions of the solar nebula. The low survival rate of pre-solar silicate grains at the edge of the solar nebula disk also suggests a low survival rate of pre-solar organics. It is clear that cometary icy and rocky materials formed in different environments. Stardust provided no information on ices but did it collect cometary organics including glycine. Comet-like bodies were probably the dominant form of planetesimal in the solar nebula and the Wild 2 results provide a very detailed look at the materials that made such bodies at the edge of the solar nebula.

For more information and participation instructions: http://astrobiology.nasa.gov/nai/seminars/detail/169 [Source NAI newsletter]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Proposal Deadline: February 26, 2010

NASA and The Space Telescope Science Institute (STScI) are pleased to announce the Cycle 18 Call for Proposals for Hubble Space Telescope (HST) Observations and funding for Archival Research and Theoretical Research programs. Participation in this program is open to all categories of organizations, both domestic and foreign, including educational institutions, profit and nonprofit organizations, NASA Centers, and other Government agencies.

This solicitation for proposals will be open through February 26, 2010 8:00pm EST. The Astronomer's Proposal Tools (APT), which is required for Phase I Proposal Submission will be made available/released for Cycle 18 Phase I use during the 1st week of January 2010. Results of the selection will be announced in early June 2010.

Continue reading "Hubble Space Telescope Cycle 18 Call for Proposals" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Release Date: January 15, 2010
Notice of Intent to propose Due: February 12, 2010
Proposals Due: April 15, 2010

With this amendment, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate (SMD) Announcement of Opportunity (AO) NNH08ZDA009O, "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)," is amended to establish a new Program Element Appendix (PEA) as Appendix H6, ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Instruments Investigations. This PEA solicits Principal Investigator (PI)-led instrument science investigations for the ExoMars 2016 Orbiter mission. The ExoMars 2016 Orbiter mission is a joint ESA-NASA mission. Together, NASA and ESA expect to select sufficient instrument science investigations to address the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission science objectives. All proposed investigations must describe a science investigation with goals and objectives that address the ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter mission science objectives. Further information on the ExoMars 2016 Orbiter mission is available at http://salmon.larc.nasa.gov/SALMONreflib.html#ExoMars.

Continue reading "SALMON AO Amendment 4: Release of a Solicitation for ExoMars Trace Gas Orbiter Instruments Investigations" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:36 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA/HQ is hereby soliciting information about potential sources to provide support for study and report on radiation standards for lunar sortie missions. This will consist of an Ad Hoc committee to perform an independent assessment of the program's technical quality, relevance to exploration objectives, and effectiveness in maturing and infusing technologies. This work will assist the Government in overseeing the Constellation, human research, exploration technology development and lunar precursor robotic programs as well as the Commercial Orbital Transportation Services Project.

Continue reading "NASA Solicitation: Exploration Systems Mission: Radiation Standards for Lunar Sortie Missions" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA's Science Mission Directorate (SMD) intends to release a Draft Announcement of Opportunity (AO) in June 2009 for Discovery Program missions. The Discovery Program conducts Principal Investigator (PI)-led space science investigations in SMD's planetary programs under a not-to-exceed cost cap. It is anticipated that approximately two to three Discovery investigations will be selected for 9-month Phase A concept studies through this AO. At the conclusion of these concept studies, it is planned that one Discovery investigation will be selected to continue into Phase B and subsequent mission phases. There will be no Missions of Opportunity (MO) solicited as part of this AO. All MO are now solicited through the Stand Alone Mission of Opportunity Notice (SALMON) AO.

Full notice below

Continue reading "DRAFT Discovery Community Announcement NNH09ZDA009J" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:07 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

A Meeting-in-a-Meeting to be held during the 214th Meeting of the AAS, June 7-11, 2009, Pasadena, California ( http://aas.org/meetings/aas214 ) Sponsored by the American Astronomical Society (AAS) Working Group on Laboratory Astrophysics (WGLA) - ( http://www.aas.org/labastro/ )

Abstract Submission deadline: 2 March 2009
Late Abstract Submission deadline: 30 April 2009

Continue reading "Bridging Laboratory and Astrophysics: From the Infrared to the Submm" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Chirality is an excellent indicator of life, but naturally occurring astrobiological (as well as terrestrial) samples nearly always exhibit massive depolarizing light scattering, which renders conventional polarimeters useless. For astrobiological applications, we instead consider a novel polarimeter originally developed for non-invasive human-glucose measurement. It involves deliberately rotating in time the plane of polarization of a linearly polarized beam and detecting the shift in the plane of the rotating linearly polarized component of the transmitted light from a chiral sample relative to the input polarization plane. We find that this polarimeter can operate in 3 orders of magnitude more depolarizing scattering than conventional polarimeters. Furthermore, it can also be designed to be lightweight, compact, and energy efficient.

Astrobiology. December 2008, 8(6): 1061-1069.

http://www.liebertonline.com/doi/pdfplus/10.1089/ast.2007.0151

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

NASA Ames has developed a nanosensor technology for high sensitive and low power chemical sensing using nanostructure, single walled carbon nanotubes (SWNT's), combined with silicon-based micro fabrication and micromachining process. Due to large surface area, low surface energy barrier and high thermal and mechanical stability, nanostructured chemical sensors offer higher sensitivity, lower power consumption and a more robust solution than most state-of-the art systems making them attractive for space and defense applications, as well as a variety of commercial applications. Leveraging the micromachining technology, the light weight and compact sensors can be fabricated, in wafer scale for mass production, with high yield and at low cost. Such sensors have drawn attention from the space community for global weather monitoring, space exploration, life search in the universe, and launch pad fuel leak detection and in-flight cabin monitoring and engine operation monitoring.

Continue reading "NASA Graduate Student Researchers Program: Chemical sensors development for space and terrestrial applications" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

We are developing the remote sensing techniques based on combined Raman spectrometer and UV fluorescence instrument suite for biogenic organics detections and characterizations. Our key step is to target the optimal instrument performance based on the systematic laboratory investigation and field- testing. Our measurement goals are: (1) ppm to ppb detection limits for organic molecules from natural samples without exaction or any preparation, (2) characterization of types of organic compounds based on complementary Raman and fluorescent signatures at sufficient detail to indicate possible biological origin. We will also incorporate the ultra sensitive spectroscopy technique for trace detection using surface enhanced Raman spectroscopy. The effort includes laboratory instrument technique and field instrument design with fiber optical probes. Deadline: 5:00 PM EST February 1, 2009. http://fellowships.hq.nasa.gov/gsrp/research/detail.cfm?oppID=651

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:44 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

Scientists have brought the ENDURANCE underwater vehicle to Lake Bonney, a perpetually ice-covered salt lake located in Antarctica's McMurdo Dry Valleys.

ENDURANCE, an autonomous vehicle designed to swim untethered under ice, will spend a month creating three-dimensional maps of the underwater environment. It also will collect data on the environmental conditions and take samples of microbial life. If all goes well, in the future NASA could send a similar probe to explore the ocean on Jupiter's icy moon Europa.

Read the daily blog entries written by scientists in the field as they work in Earth's coldest environment, testing the limits of ENDURANCE.

Continue reading "ENDURANCE Dives Under the Ice in Antarctica's Lake Bonney" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

With this amendment, the NASA Announcement of Opportunity NNH08ZDA009O, "Stand Alone Missions of Opportunity Notice (SALMON)," is amended to delay the proposal due date for proposals submitted in response to Program Element Appendix H3: Small Complete Missions of Opportunity in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology.

The proposal due date for Small Complete Missions of Opportunity in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology proposals is delayed until early in 2009.

Continue reading "SALMON AO Amendment 2: Delay of Due Date for Small Complete Missions in Astrobiology and Fundamental Space Biology" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:09 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "ROSES-08 Amendment 17: New proposal opportunity for Concept Studies for Human Tended Suborbital Science" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "ROSES-08 Amendment 18: New proposal opportunity for Kepler Guest Observer - Cycle 1" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:48 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:23 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "Request for Information (RFI) New Science Investigations using Existing NASA Spacecraft" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:33 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Continue reading "NSF Funding Opportunity: CubeSat-based Science Missions for Space Weather and Atmospheric Research" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:35 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "NASA RFI - Scientist Participant Suborbital Science Pilot Program - Flight Research" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 6:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "NASA offers Mission PI Training Course" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:16 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:40 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:03 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

This amendment announces a proposal opportunity in Appendix C.20 of ROSES-2007 entitled "Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets" (ASTEP).

Continue reading "Final text and due dates for Appendix C.20: Astrobiology Science and Technology for Exploring Planets" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:55 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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).

Continue reading "Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development, including Concept Studies for Small Payloads and Satellites (ASTID)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "ROSES-07 Amendment 28: New proposal opportunity for Astrobiology Science and Technology Instrument Development, including Concept Studies for Small Payloads and Satellites (ASTID)" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Continue reading "Announcement of Opportunity for the Explorer Program: Small Explorers (SMEX) and Missions of Opportunity" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:17 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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/

Posted by Keith Cowing at 2:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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]

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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" »

Posted by Keith Cowing at 8:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Where is GenSat1?

Posted by Keith Cowing at 1:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

View Launch Video

Posted by Keith Cowing at 10:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Live Webcast

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:43 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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Posted by Keith Cowing at 9:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

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Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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)."

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Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:09 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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.

Posted by Keith Cowing at 12:14 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

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Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:41 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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

Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:39 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

"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.

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Posted by Keith Cowing at 5:01 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)

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."

Posted by Keith Cowing at 11:08 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)