Issue 26-04, May 5, 2026
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- IN MEMORIAM: CANDY HANSEN
- IN MEMORIAM: ROB SULLIVAN
- ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION ARE OPEN FOR DPS-58
- DPS-58 TRAVEL AND DEPENDENT CARE GRANT APPLICATIONS
- SPLINTER MEETINGS ARE SOLICITED AT DPS-58
- LOW-COST MEETING OBSERVER OPTION AT DPS-58
- DPS SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY
- DPS SEEKS A NEW EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR
- AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS) DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES (DPS) 2026 ADVOCACY
- GREEN MARS COMMUNITY INTEREST FORM
- MAPSIT AG MAILING LIST AND ZENODO COMMUNITY
- LPI WEBINAR: ESCAPE VELOCITY: OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
- LPI WEBINAR: MENTORING STRATEGIES
- PLATO’S GUEST OBSERVERS PROGRAMME: AO-1 CALL CLOSING SOON
- WORKSHOP ON THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE OF COMETS
- PLANETARY SCIENTIST OPPORTUNITY IN THE PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION AT NASA HEADQUARTERS
- REGISTER FOR THE 25TH MEETING OF THE SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) – JUNE 9-11
- CONFERENCE FOR GRADUATE WOMEN AND GENDER MINORITIES IN PHYSICS
- NEW DEADLINE FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) REGARDING ADVANCEMENT OF “SCIENCE AS A SERVICE” FOR NASA AND COMMERCIAL PARTNERS: MAY 7, 2026
- UPDATED DEADLINE FOR THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR LUNAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PAYLOADS FOR EXPANDED LUNAR LANDING OPPORTUNITIES
- REMINDER: ASTEROIDS, COMETS, METEORS 2029: CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT
- TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
- JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
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IN MEMORIAM: CANDY HANSEN
Candice Hansen-Koharcheck, a Planetary Science Institute senior scientist since 2010, died on April 11 after a valiant three-year battle with cancer. Her career spanned nearly 50 years, during which she authored more than 300 journal articles on topics from erupting jets on Triton and Enceladus, to outer planet satellites’ tenuous atmospheres, to carbon dioxide processes on Mars. She played a critical role in many high-profile NASA missions including Voyager, Cassini, Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter, Juno and Europa Clipper. She is remembered by her colleagues as endlessly kind and supportive, with a talent for mission operations and team coordination. She is also regarded as a trailblazer at a time when there were few women in planetary science.
Hansen-Koharcheck was born in Pasadena, Calif. In 1976 she earned a B.S. in Physics from California State University, Fullerton, where she was inspired to become a planetary scientist by Dorothy Woolum, who worked on the Apollo program. She then began a short stint in graduate school at the University of Arizona. Under the mentorship of Bradford Smith, who led Voyager’s imaging team, she was encouraged to leave Tucson to begin work at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory on Voyager as assistant experiment representative. Her task was to design the camera images for every satellite flyby that occurred during Voyager’s encounters with Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune. In 1981, she earned the NASA Individual Achievement Award for this work.
From 1981-84, during the long cruise period between the Saturn and Uranus encounters, she worked at the German Space Operations Center in Oberpfaffenhofen on the Ion Release Module, the German portion of the Active Magnetospheric Particle Tracer Explorer, a multinational Earth orbiting mission designed to study the Earth’s magnetosphere.
She returned to Voyager for the Uranus flyby in January 1986. In 1987, Hansen-Koharcheck returned to graduate school, this time at UCLA. Two years later, while preparing for Voyager’s Neptune encounter, she finished her Master of Science in Planetary Physics, and in 1994, completed her doctorate in earth and space science. Her dissertation included a thermal model of Triton’s nitrogen frost and atmosphere, based on Voyager data. She has also applied the thermal model to Pluto and other Kuiper Belt objects.
In 1990, Hansen-Koharcheck began working on NASA’s Cassini-Huygens mission to Saturn with the Ultraviolet Imaging Spectrograph (UVIS) investigation team, and was responsible for planning and analyzing UVIS icy satellite data. In 2002, she earned an Exceptional Leadership Award from JPL for her science planning efforts for Cassini’s Jupiter flyby observations. She remained a UVIS co-investigator until 2017, when the spacecraft was retired. She led several papers analyzing UVIS data of Enceladus’ water vapor plume. In 2009, she earned the NASA Exceptional Scientific Achievement Medal for this work. She was also the deputy principal investigator on the Mars Polar Lander payload from 1994-99, when the spacecraft was lost.
In 2010, Hansen-Koharcheck retired from JPL and continued her work at the Planetary Science Institute.
At the time of her death, Hansen-Koharcheck was deputy principal investigator emeritus for the High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE) on the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter. Her research focused on the seasonal carbon dioxide polar cap of Mars. She also pursued that interest as a co-investigator on the High-resolution Stereo and Color Imager (HiSCI) flying on the Mars Trace Gas Orbiter. Hansen-Koharcheck was also a co-investigator on the Juno mission, which has been in orbit around Jupiter since 2016. On Juno, she was responsible for the development and operation of the JunoCam outreach camera designed to engage the public in planning and processing images of Jupiter and its satellites. For this work, she earned the NASA Outstanding Public Leadership Medal in 2018 and NASA Exceptional Public Service Medal in 2023. Hansen-Koharcheck continued her adventure at Jupiter as a co-investigator on the Europa Imaging System (EIS) on the Europa Clipper mission, scheduled to arrive in the Jupiter system in April, 2030.
In addition to the many awards and honors throughout her career she received the Geological Society of America’s G. K. Gilbert Award for contributions to Planetary Geology in 2023. She also served as the Chair of the NASA Outer Planets Assessment Group and Chair of the Division for Planetary Sciences of the American Astronomical Society.
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IN MEMORIAM: ROB SULLIVAN
Robert John (“Rob”) Sullivan, Jr. of Lansing, NY passed away peacefully on February 15, 2026 following a courageous battle with ALS. Rob was born near Sydney, Australia on February 16, 1962. His family moved to Sherborn, MA in 1970. There, he spent summers life-guarding and teaching swimming lessons at Farm Pond. He loved growing up in a small town where he enjoyed playing street hockey and baseball and running cross-country through the woods. He loved the Boston Red Sox, attending his last game at Fenway in September. Curiosity, integrity, and honesty were defining characteristics of Rob’s. He was a dedicated husband and father who never missed a dance recital, stage performance, or athletic event, enjoyed building sets for the Lansing High School musicals, and was always available to the girls for homework help. Rob cherished spending time with family and friends, boat rides on Cayuga Lake, stargazing, dramatic weather, changing seasons, and beautiful sunsets from his front yard. Rob’s love for his family was so deep he would go to great lengths to ensure their happiness above his own needs. When his friends needed help, he was always there.
Rob received his B.S. from Brown University in Geology-Physics/Mathematics and Ph.D. from Arizona State University. Rob was a Principal Research Scientist at the Cornell Center for Astrophysics and Planetary Science, and was a world expert on Martian aeolian processes. Rob was the recipient of many NASA Achievement Awards, having served on Mars 2020, Mars Science Laboratory, Mars Exploration Rovers, Mars Express, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Pathfinder, and Galileo. Rob authored or co-authored well over 100 peer-reviewed papers and book chapters, but was an extremely humble person despite his prolific contributions to his field. He is sorely missed by his colleagues.
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ABSTRACT SUBMISSION AND REGISTRATION ARE OPEN FOR DPS-58
The DPS Committee, Scientific Organizing Committee (SOC), and AAS Meetings invite the planetary science community to register for attendance and to submit abstracts for presentation of their recent work at the 58th DPS meeting, which will take place at the Spokane (WA, USA) Convention Center, 25-30 October 2026. DPS-58 will be organized as a hybrid meeting with live-streamed in-person and recorded virtual talks. Poster presentations will be in-person.
To facilitate attendance by the widest range of participants, including non-traditional attendees and those with limited funds, there are three classes of registration: full in-person participation, full virtual participation, and participation as a virtual meeting observer for a cost of only $50.
The DPS meeting covers “all of planetary science” – solid planets, gas giants, asteroids, comets, KBOs, rings, atmospheres, and exoplanets – including the state of the planetary science workforce. Authors will be asked to indicate a Decadal Survey-related science theme plus a class of bodies pertinent to their abstract. The SOC will use this information to formulate a theme- and target-based scientific program. There is also an option to submit to one of five special sessions devoted to emerging science topics and planetary mission benchmarks in 2026/2027:
• 5 years of the Perseverance rover exploration at Jezero Crater, Mars
• Juno’s 10 years of exploring Jupiter
• 20 years of MRO observing Mars from orbit
• 30 years of asteroid rendezvous missions at 6 different targets
• Interstellar comets, a new discovery
Submit your abstract and register using the abstract submission link and registration link tools.
Regular Abstract Deadline, Thursday, June 11, 2026 9:00pm ET
Early Registration Deadline, Saturday, June 13, 2026 9:00pm ET
For information on future deadlines, registration rates and social events, please visit the meeting web site, and for an online form to request splinter meetings please visit that link.
–Scott Murchie and JA Grier on behalf of the DPS Committee
–Abigail Fraeman on behalf of the Scientific Organizing Committee
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DPS-58 TRAVEL AND DEPENDENT CARE GRANT APPLICATIONS
The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) offers two types of travel grants to support attendance at DPS-58 to be held 25-30 October 2026 in Spokane, Washington, U.S.A. At least 30 travel grants may be awarded at $500-$1500 each.
Hartmann Student Travel Grants support student presentations at the annual DPS meeting. (Postdoctoral scholars may also be eligible, but students are prioritized). These grants provide a supplement that enables the student to present at the annual meeting, especially in person. Award of a travel grant assumes submission of a DPS abstract, to be described in the application.
Underrepresented Minority (URM) Communities in Planetary Science Travel Grants support attendance by students and professionals who are members of groups that have had inadequate access to the planetary science community. Applications are especially encouraged from members of group(s) whose contributions to STEM may have been overlooked, students and professionals hailing from colleges and non-R1 academic or research institutions that have not traditionally benefited from connections to the planetary science community, and/or students and professionals with degrees in broader STEM disciplines (e.g., chemistry, physics, engineering, mathematics) who are new to the planetary science community. The aim of these grants is to enable in-person or virtual participation at DPS or National Society of Black Physicists (NSBP) – National Society of Hispanics Physicists (NSHP) meetings. Presentation by the applicant is not required but is prioritized.
Applicants for DPS travel grants do not need to be U.S. citizens or permanent residents. Eligible candidates are welcome to apply for both grants, but if selected would receive only one.
Apply at DPS Travel Grants Application | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences. The deadline is 1 July 2026. Award notifications are planned during July (well before the registration deadline), but the award team will work with DPS and NSBP-NSHP meeting organizers to accommodate costs should there be delays.
Additionally, DPS offers Susan Niebur Dependent Care grants. These provide financial assistance to qualifying members to facilitate their meeting attendance by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal care, etc., at the meeting location or at home during the DPS conference. Apply for a dependent care grant here.
Community donations are critical for the health of these awards. To donate, please access this link and select the grant you wish to support.
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SATELLITE MEETINGS ARE SOLICITED AT DPS-58
DPS welcomes community groups to hold satellite meetings at DPS’s 58th annual meeting at the Spokane Convention Center 25-30 October 2026, including AG groups, mission or instrument teams, or other planetary-themed groups. The venue features 4-6 rooms that seat between 30-100 and are available anytime, plus 4 large halls seating >250 which are available Sunday Oct 25, or for 60-90 minute lunchtime meetings Monday-Thursday Oct 26-29. Rooms will be outfitted for hybrid participation with AV hardware; users must supply laptops. Zoom reservations may be arranged by users, or supplied at no cost by AAS if the meeting is sponsored by DPS. In-person participants are expected to register for attendance at DPS; virtual participants may attend at no cost. Apply for a satellite meeting here. The application deadline is Thursday June 11; selected applicants will be notified in late June. Catering is available at cost with forms sent with selection notifications.
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LOW-COST MEETING OBSERVER OPTION AT DPS-58
Are you interested in planetary science, and ready to attend professional talks on topics of interest, but costs of a professional conference are not affordable? DPS is pleased to announce a virtual attendance option that can fit a tightly constrained budget, as a virtual meeting observer. This option is meant for a wide variety of planetary science amateurs and professionals:
- amateurs who want a deeper dive than what is in the popular press
- leaders of high-school science clubs who will share with a group
- students and faculty at community colleges and tribal colleges
- retired professionals who lack emeritus status in a professional society
- active professionals who don’t have funding to attend *all* the conferences they would like
The virtual attendance option, available for $50 (a modest out-of-pocket cost), allows full watching and listening to oral presentations and access to recorded sessions.
For more information visit the DPS-58 registration page.
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DPS SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY
As she nears the completion of a 3-year term as DPS Secretary, Dr. Denise Stephens has announced that she will be stepping aside from that position to focus on research and teaching. The term of office is expiring and it is time for a change.
The DPS seeks a motivated, organized candidate to succeed Dr. Stephens as DPS Secretary. If this impactful position interests you, submit a letter of interest and a CV to DPS Chair Scott Murchie at [email protected] or [email protected]. As DPS Secretary, you would be part of the DPS Executive Committee, helping to lead the division and to formulate rapid responses to planetary community events. Regular duties of the DPS Secretary are to:
- Compile and distribute eNews to DPS members;
- Take minutes of meetings and archive them;
- Maintain DPS records and documents including the DPS Meeting Guide, instruction guides for subcommittees, official Committee and Subcommittee membership lists, letterhead, bylaws, and membership data;
- Oversee membership applications and the membership roster;
- Collected statements from candidates for elected DPS offices identified by the Nominating Subcommittee, circulate them, conduct the annual election, and announce the results;
- Prepare prize certificates and citations; and
- Contribute to the corporate memory of DPS along with other officers.
Nominees are reviewed by the DPS Committee and one candidate will be elected to a 3-year term.
If you are interested please contact DPS Chair Scott Murchie and submit a CV at [email protected] or [email protected]
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DPS SEEKS A NEW EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR
The DPS Education Officer position was filled by Prof. Brian Jackson of Boise State University until he accepted the position of Editor-in-Chief of the Planetary Science Journal, at which time the remainder of the 3-year term was assumed by Past Chair Sanlyn Buxner of the Planetary Science Institute.
The Chair the Education Subcommittee oversees the following activities:
- Maintains the Education portion of the DPS website together with the DPS webmaster
- Maintains the searchable database of Research Experiences for Undergraduate students in planetary science
- Maintains the searchable database of graduate schools for planetary science
- Intermittently, manages DPS Education and Outreach Grants – ($200 to $500) – awarded on rolling basis
- Supports education-related activities during DPS meetings in coordination with DPS leadership and other committees
Nominees are reviewed by the DPS Committee and one candidate will be elected to a 3-year term.
If you are interested please contact DPS Chair Scott Murchie and submit a CV at [email protected] or [email protected]
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AMERICAN ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY (AAS) DIVISION FOR PLANETARY SCIENCES (DPS) 2026 ADVOCACY
The American Astronomical Society (AAS) Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) Committee and the AAS DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee (FRS) conducted annual advocacy visits together in April of 2026. During the visits, members of both groups met with The White House Office of Management and Budget, NASA Science Mission Directorate Planetary Science Division leadership, Congressional Appropriation and Authorization committee staff, and key House and Senate member offices. Both virtual and in person meetings were conducted to discuss ongoing planetary science community concerns and priorities including, the need for consistent and sustained investment in science for NASA to accomplish the agency’s robotic and human exploration goals, the impacts of proposed FY27 cuts for NASA and NSF, and our FY27 appropriations request for both NASA and NSF.
The FRS will continue to serve as a resource for the DPS community throughout the calendar year, and the FRS accepts new members at any time. If you are interested in learning more about planetary science advocacy or would like to join the FRS please contact [email protected].
DPS Federal Relations Subcommittee | AAS Division for Planetary Sciences
Angela M. Dapremont, DPS FRS Chair
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GREEN MARS COMMUNITY INTEREST FORM
If you are interested in receiving occasional updates of interest to the Green Mars community, such as the dates and locations of upcoming workshops, please sign up by filling in this form:
https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSebX8PDo5Sb-OIso8816kmYTPjME9DZJqLByXD7q6PyjJQ9Cw/viewform
You may also be interested in progress reports from teams within the Green Mars community that can be obtained by subscribing at the following links: https://pioneerlabs.substack.com/ ,
https://marsterraforming.substack.com/ , and marsterraforming.org
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MAPSIT AG MAILING LIST AND ZENODO COMMUNITY
The MAPSIT AG is a community-based, interdisciplinary forum for the discussion, analysis, and representation of matters concerning the creation and development of planetary geospatial data products, planetary geologic mapping, and the tools and training necessary to support and grow these capabilities. The MAPSIT roadmap seeks to advance planetary science and exploration by ensuring that planetary data are accessible and usable for any purpose, now and in the future.
The MAPSIT analysis group is undergoing a few transitions, including a new mailing list. To receive news and updates directly from the MAPSIT Steering Committee please take a moment to sign up for a new email list at: https://groups.google.com/g/mapsit-ag/about
We have also created a Zenodo.org community to share our group documents. If you have a Zenodo account, or wish to sign up, you can find us at: https://zenodo.org/communities/mapsit-ag
If you have questions or want to communicate with the MAPSIT Steering Committee, please send inquiries to: [email protected]
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LPI WEBINAR: ESCAPE VELOCITY: OVERCOMING IMPOSTER SYNDROME
May 19, 2026, 3 p.m. EDT/ 2 p.m. CDT/ 1 p.m. MDT/ 12 p.m. PDT
Imposter syndrome describes the experiences of high-achievers who attribute their success to external factors such as luck and report feeling like frauds, in spite of having a track record of outstanding accomplishments. In this webinar, Usha Rao, Ph.D., will address the roots of Imposter syndrome and discuss the individual and structural aspects that contribute to the experience. She will offer practical solutions and actionable items that help to tackle the issue head-on and reframe it to your advantage. For more information, visit www.lpi.usra.edu/education/scientist-engagement.
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LPI WEBINAR: MENTORING STRATEGIES
June 10, 2026, 2 p.m. EDT/ 1 p.m. CDT/ 12 p.m. MDT/ 11 a.m. PDT
Good mentors can make all the difference for successful careers in planetary science or astrobiology. Sometimes, different expectations and assumptions can make it difficult for these relationships to progress. Join panelists Dr. Justin Filiberto and Dr. Laurie Barge to hear the different mentoring strategies that they have experienced in their careers and used to support future and early-career scientists. For more information, visit www.lpi.usra.edu/education/scientist-engagement.
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PLATO’S GUEST OBSERVERS PROGRAMME: AO-1 CALL CLOSING SOON
ESA is looking forward to PLATO (PLAnetary Transits and Oscillations of stars), scheduled for launch in under a year. PLATO will monitor a wide field for several years, delivering imagettes and light curves for hundreds of thousands of stars. Its goals include detecting terrestrial planets in habitable zones and advancing asteroseismology, with most data becoming public shortly after validation.
ESA now invites Guest Observer proposals for complementary science. The First Announcement of Opportunity opened on 7 April and will close on 21 May, offering 8% telemetry for new targets, upgraded modes, and a proprietary access period. Proposers are encouraged to review the available material, join community initiatives, and submit their research ideas.
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WORKSHOP ON THE INTEGRATED SCIENCE OF COMETS
The Workshop on the Integrated Science of Comets: From Laboratory Studies of Cometary Materials to Remote Observations is scheduled for September 22–24, 2026, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI) in Houston, TX.
The workshop will bring together the international community working on interplanetary dust particles, cometary samples, and comet observations. Marking the 20th anniversary of the Stardust sample return, the workshop will highlight two decades of advances in cometary sample science while integrating new insights from space and ground-based observations across optical, infrared, and radio wavelengths, including facilities such as JWST, Hubble, and major ground-based observatories. By connecting laboratory analyses, multi-wavelength remote sensing, and mission science, the workshop aims to develop a cohesive understanding of cometary materials and their role in Solar System formation, and to define key science priorities for future comet exploration and sample return missions.
To be added to the mailing list to receive additional information about this meeting, submit an indication of interest.
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PLANETARY SCIENTIST OPPORTUNITY IN THE PLANETARY SCIENCE DIVISION AT NASA HEADQUARTERS
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate has an immediate need for one or more scientists with expertise in planetary science to serve as Program Scientists in the Planetary Science Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington, DC. The Division is responsible for the scientific exploration of our Solar System and for improving our understanding of planets. These opportunities are being made available under the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) Intergovernmental Personnel Act (IPA). For info about IPAs, go to:
The initial IPA appointment will be for up to two (2) years, with possibility of reappointment up to a total of six (6) years. It is preferable for most Program Scientists in the Planetary Science Division to have at least 5 years of post-Ph.D. experience.
For the full announcement, please go to:
[Edited for length]
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REGISTER FOR THE 25TH MEETING OF THE SMALL BODIES ASSESSMENT GROUP (SBAG) – JUNE 9-11
The SBAG Steering Committee is pleased to invite you to register for the 35th meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group. This fully virtual meeting will take place in 3-hour blocks on June 9–11, 2026. The blocks will be staggered as follows to accommodate the wide range of time zones spanned by our community:
June 9: 9:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT
June 10: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM EDT
June 11: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM EDT
Even with the change in format, the scope of topics on the program will be very similar to previous meetings. We will hear from agency representatives (including Dr. Louise Prockter, Planetary Science Division Director; Dr. Kelly Fast, Acting Planetary Defense Officer; and Dr. Tom Statler, Lead Scientist for Solar System Small Bodies), along with speakers affiliated with major community programs, missions, and activities.
We invite you to register here (at no cost) by June 2 to confirm your attendance at this virtual meeting.
Due to the abbreviated program in this fully virtual format, not all missions, programs, or activities will be featured at SBAG35; those not included this time will be featured in future meetings. In structuring the SBAG35 program, the Steering Committee is prioritizing missions, programs, and activities with major near-term milestones and strong connections to the findings from SBAG34.
Additionally, there will be opportunities for early-career participants to present their research and connect with more senior members of the field. We invite interested early-career researchers to apply here by May 11th to present their work at the meeting or participate in the meeting mentor program.
Please keep an eye on the meeting website, which will be updated in the coming weeks. We look forward to seeing you virtually in June.
All the best,
Terik Daly
SBAG Chair
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CONFERENCE FOR GRADUATE WOMEN AND GENDER MINORITIES IN PHYSICS
Attend the Conference for Graduate Women and Gender Minorities in Physics to position yourself as a next-generation leader, September 10–11, 2026 IN Washington, D.C.
- Build relationships to supercharge future research and collaborations
- Receive mentor, leadership, and professional development training
- Develop skills to be an effective leader in the STEM workforce
This program is open to interested individuals of all gender identities and expressions.
Program
Participate in dynamic, discussion-driven sessions and workshops designed to support your growth as a leader in physics. The program will explore topics related to self-advocacy, inclusive leadership, professional resilience, and navigating academic culture.
Eligible participants
Conference programming will be tailored for all graduate students and postdocs in physics. We encourage the participation of women, gender diverse individuals, and those who may not always see themselves represented in STEM to attend. Please note that the Conference for Graduate Women and Gender Minorities is open to only those who currently reside in the U.S.
Not eligible? Please share this with colleagues who can benefit.
Most costs are covered
APS is invested in your future success!
- All meals during the conference will be provided.
- Hotel reservations for two nights for accepted participants, will be made and paid for by APS.
Accepted participants will be responsible for:
- Travel costs
- $45 non-refundable registration fee
Apply before the May 31 deadline!
Email [email protected] with any questions.
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NEW DEADLINE FOR REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) REGARDING ADVANCEMENT OF “SCIENCE AS A SERVICE” FOR NASA AND COMMERCIAL PARTNERS: MAY 7, 2026
NASA’s Science Mission Directorate (SMD) is pleased to extend the deadline for the Request for Information (RFI) for the Advancement of “Science as a Service” for NASA and Commercial partners. The full announcement for NNH26ZDA006L can be found here: https://go.nasa.gov/saasrfi
New Deadline to Submit Responses: May 7, 2026 11:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time
The RFI is seeking ideas for mission concepts that leverage existing capabilities of industry, and to identify where new technology investments could be mutually beneficial to government and industry.
For questions or comments, please contact:
– Michael Seablom, Associate Director for Technology, Earth Science
Division, [email protected]
– Shawn Domagal-Goldman, Director, Astrophysics Division,
We look forward to engaging with interested partners to continue advancing NASA Science through innovative collaborations.
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UPDATED DEADLINE FOR THE REQUEST FOR INFORMATION (RFI) FOR
LUNAR SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY PAYLOADS FOR EXPANDED LUNAR LANDING
OPPORTUNITIES
Number: NNH26ZDA008L
New Response Date: May 7, 2026
There is a new deadline for the Lunar Science and Technology Payloads for Expanded Lunar Landing Opportunities Request for Information (RFI) posted on the NASA Solicitation and Proposal Integrated Review and Evaluation System (NSPIRES).
Responses to the RFI are now due 11:59 PM Eastern Time on May 7, 2026.
A Questions and Answers (Q&A) document posted earlier in April remains available. Please visit the website to see the Q&As and the full RFI text:
Additional questions may be emailed to the RFI’s point of contact Dr. Brad Bailey at [email protected]. Please use “PLoads RFI” in the subject line of an inquiry email. Do not use this email address for RFI submissions because emailed submissions will not be considered.
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REMINDER: ASTEROIDS, COMETS, METEORS 2029: CALL FOR LETTERS OF INTENT
This message announces that the ACM Steering Committee is calling for Letters of Intent to host the next ACM conference after ACM 2026, tentatively scheduled for 2029 (maintaining the triennial pace). In particular, we encourage Letters of Intent from outside the Americas and Europe.
The due date for letters of intent is May 8, 2026. Complete information about this call and how to prepare your proposal can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/5dfpxu7x
We are looking forward to receiving outstanding proposals concerning ACM2029, and hope to see you in Poznan in July 2026, for ACM2026!
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TABLE OF CONTENTS FOR ICARUS AND THE PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL
The current issues for both DPS-affiliated journals are here:
Icarus:
Icarus | Vol 449, In progress (1 May 2026) | ScienceDirect.com by Elsevier
The Planetary Science Journal:
Issue 5 – Volume 7 – The Planetary Science Journal – IOPscience
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JOBS, POSITIONS, AND OPPORTUNITIES
Job seekers and employers are encouraged to browse DPS’s job listings and advertise open positions **for free** on the DPS job board.
Full details for several new positions can be found on the DPS job board.
A summary of recent job announcements and postdoc opportunities is listed below.
- Green Bank Observatory Assistant Scientist
The Green Bank Observatory is searching for a qualified scientist to join the Green Bank Telescope in Green Bank, WV. The GBT is a 100-meter telescope that operates from 290 MHz to 116 GHz. As the world’s largest fully steerable single dish telescope, the GBT is used by astronomers from all over the world to carry out a wide range of astronomical research.
As a staff scientist, this position is open to all areas of astronomy, but candidates with experience in radar observations and/or VLBI techniques are especially encouraged to apply. Go to: Assistant Scientist | Dayforce Jobs
Essential duties and responsibilities include:
- Maintain an active independent research program which makes significant use of the GBT and other NRAO facilities.
- Provide GBT technical support and GBT user support for the broad astronomical community.
- Contribute to the overall Observatory mission and work within a collaborative environment that promotes motivation, leadership, and team building.
- Assist with and participate in scientific community outreach activities, public outreach, education activities, and broader impact activities.
Please reach out if you have any questions.
Lisa L Shinaberry
304-456-2263
WFH on Thursdays
- Postdoc Position at Brown University
The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Brown University invites applications for a University Fellowship in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. This competitive postdoctoral fellowship will be awarded for a one-year period, with possible extension for a second year. Postdoctoral associates will conduct independent research in association with Brown faculty in Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences. For more information and to apply, please visit:
- NASA SMD Graduate Student Research Solicitation – Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology
Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology(FINESST) F.5 of ROSES-25 solicits proposals from accredited U.S. universities and other eligible organizations for graduate student-designed and performed research projects that contribute to SMD’s science, technology, and exploration goals. The Future Investigator, i.e., the student, shall have the primary initiative to define the proposed FINESST research project and must be the primary author, with input or supervision from the proposal’s Principal Investigator, as appropriate.
ROSES-2025 Amendment 52 releases final text and due dates for Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST) F.5 of ROSES-25, which was previously TBD. For more information, please visit: F.5 Future Investigators in NASA Earth and Space Science and Technology (FINESST).
Neither a notice of intent nor a Step-1 proposal should be submitted. Proposals are due July 14, 2026.
Questions concerning F.5 FINESST may be directed to [email protected].
- GIS Developer with HX5 at Johnson Space Center
The Geographic Information Systems (GIS) Developer will:
- Employ GIS and remote sensing techniques to Earth, Moon, and other planetary image data in support of International Space Station (ISS) and Artemis missions
- Create, manage, and deploy data pipelines for imagery and geospatial products into web GIS, ArcGIS Enterprise, ArcPortal, and NASA internal applications
- Develop planetary and Earth-based cartography products for NASA’s human space flight missions and operations
- Develop and manage geodatabases, versioning, data integrity, data catalogs, metadata and other related data information
- Utilize and recommend automation techniques for dataset and imagery processing
- Participate in science and imagery mission operations as needed
- Develop and implement geospatial and data science QA/QC processes
- Provide science services and technology products to a range of human exploration organizations including Artemis, Orion, the lander/ascent systems, spacesuits, EVA, and ISS
- Interact with scientists, engineers, and managers in a highly dynamic and occasionally time critical environment
- and more…
Details:
- Two Postdoctoral Positions in Planetary Geochemistry, ELSI (Science Tokyo)
We invite applications for two postdoctoral researchers in planetary geochemistry and thermodynamics at the Earth-Life Science Institute (ELSI), Institute of Science Tokyo.
Position 1 (Experimentalist): The researcher will lead calorimetric measurements (heat capacity, decomposition enthalpies, mass loss) on organic matter and mineral assemblages relevant to ocean worlds and other planetary bodies, using the lab’s simultaneous TGA/DSC instrument with modulated DSC capability.
Position 2 (Modeler): The researcher will develop thermodynamic databases and apply computational models (Gibbs free energy minimization, reactive transport) to water-rock-organic systems in planetary interiors, integrating experimental data from Position 1 into modeling workflows.
Both researchers will collaborate closely. Backgrounds in geochemistry, planetary science, cosmochemistry, physical chemistry, or related fields are welcome. Positions are initially for one year with possibility of extension. ELSI operates in English; full support is provided for international researchers.
Full descriptions and application instructions:
Experimentalist: https://tinyurl.com/26dxmass
Modeler: https://tinyurl.com/3sfu4ay8
Informal discussions about the positions are welcome at AbSciCon (May 18 – 22, 2026); please reach out in advance (melwani (at) elsi.jp) to arrange a meeting.
Deadline: June 15, 2026.
- Ph.D. Position in Asteroid Modeling and Observations
The Centro de Estudios de Fisica del Cosmos de Aragon (CEFCA) offers a four-year PhD position at the interface of observations and numerical modeling of asteroids.
The observational component involves working with new and archival imaging data to derive astrometric and photometric measurements, identify fast-moving and potentially active objects, and support their rapid characterization. The candidate will contribute to developing analysis tools and selecting targets for follow-up observations.
The numerical component focuses on modeling the dynamical and thermal evolution of asteroids. This includes applying and extending existing models, investigating objects with limited observational constraints, and developing improved methods to estimate physical properties and their uncertainties.
The exact PhD program will be tailored to the candidate’s background and interests, with flexibility in the balance between observational and modeling components, and carried out under the supervision of Dr. Bojan Novakovic.
The position is based in Teruel, Spain, and includes salary, and standard employment benefits in accordance with Spanish regulations, with flexible working hours.
Full further information and application instructions: https://www.cefca.es/cefca_en/reference_0144
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Send submissions to: Denise Stephens, DPS Secretary, at this address: [email protected]