Welcome to the DPS hub for Decadal Survey-related information!
The National Academies of Sciences Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) have implemented the following changes to the white paper deadlines for the Decadal Survey on Planetary Science and Astrobiology:
July 15, 2020: Deadline for science white papers that identify (per the Decadal Statement of Task) “the most compelling science questions, goals, and challenges that should motivate future strategy in planetary science, astrobiology, and planetary defense.” These white papers are the first ones needed for initial steering group and panel discussions that must commence this summer.
August 15, 2020: Deadline for mission concept white papers. This deadline coincides with the delivery date of results from the NASA-funded mission concept studies to the panels.
September 15, 2020: Deadline for all other white papers (e.g. the state of the profession, infrastructure, interaction with human space exploration, etc.).
We encourage the DPS membership to engage in the Decadal Survey process. An important way to engage is by participating in white papers. White papers are the primary means of submitting the interests of the community to the Decadal Survey panels. The idea is that people with similar interests will work together to produce a widely co-authored White Paper, which will have greater impact than a larger number of similar papers with few authors. Please see the links below to sign-up sheets for white paper topics, hosted by the various Assessment Groups (AGs) and the LPI. You can sign up to author a white paper (and thereby alert the community to your topic) or co-author (or co-sign) an existing white paper. Submit your white paper here. White paper formatting specifications are here.
Keep up-to-date on Decadal Survey happenings, including reviewing the statement of task, by checking the National Academies 2023-2032 Decadal Survey website. White papers will ultimately be submitted via a link on this Decadal Survey website.
Note: You do not have to sign up on one of the lists below in order to submit a white paper. The signup lists are simply a means of alerting the community to in-the-works white papers, allowing co-authors to sign on.
White paper sign-ups:
DPS: State of the Profession-related white papers; Sustainability-related white papers
Lunar & Planetary Institute (LPI): white papers of various topics. Authors may post drafts of their white papers here, as well as sign up for white paper topics.
Lunar Exploration Analysis Group (LEAG): LEAG-related white papers
Mercury Community: Mercury white papers
Venus Exploration Analysis Group (VEXAG): VEXAG-related white papers
Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG): MEPAG-related white papers
Outer Planets Assessment Group (OPAG): OPAG-related white papers
Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG): SBAG-related white papers