######### ![](media/image1.wmf){width="1.1666666666666667in" height="0.875in"} 

######### NASA SPACE MISSIONS

######### Group #1 

######### Now Flying or Funded & In Development

######### & RELATED NAI RESEARCH PROJECTS

-   **Data Source**

The information below was compiled from the NAI Annual Report Year 3:
July 2000-June 2001**,** using information from the \"Mission
Involvement\" section of Project Reports submitted by Lead Teams and
Focus Groups.

-   **Content Below**

The information below is organized by NASA mission. A brief description
and associated website are given for each mission, followed by a list of
the NAI projects involved. Projects are identified by Lead Team or Focus
Group, project or Focus Group name, and people involved. The descriptive
text is from the \"Mission Involvement\" sections of the Year 3 Project
and Focus Group Reports.

####### 1. Contour 2002

####### Encounter and study at least two comets (as they come into the inner solar system), by taking high-resolution pictures (nucleus and coma of each comet), with analyses of the comets' compositions and determinations of their precise orbits. 

####### Web: [**http://discovery.jpl.nasa.gov/contour.html**](http://discovery.jpl.nasa.gov/contour.html) 

**CIW: Studies of Organic Matter and Water in Meteorites: Conel
Alexander,**

**George Cody, Erik Hauri.**

Murchison macromolecule study = Analogue for 'refractory' organic matter
in

> interstellar grains and other matter encountered by comet missions:
> Contour 2002 (comet nucleus tour).

####### 2. Deep Impact 2004

Explore the interior of Comet Tempel 1 by making a football field-sized
crater 7 stories deep on a speeding comet, with surface crust and
interior views (comet formation appearance) and other instrument
readings (e.g., chemistry) to provide clues concerning comet and solar
system formation.

Web: <http://deepimpact.umd.edu/mission/index.html>

**CIW: Studies of Organic Matter and Water in Meteorites: Conel
Alexander,**

**George Cody, Erik Hauri**

Murchison macromolecule study = Analogue for 'refractory' organic matter
in

####### interstellar grains and other matter encountered by comet missions: Deep Impact 2004 (comet impact to study the nature of the crust and inner cometary material).

####### 3. Galileo Mission 1989-2002

Study Jupiter and its moons in more detail than any previous spacecraft.
Jupiter holds

clues for understanding how the Sun and planets formed over 4.5 billion
years ago. One of Jupiter\'s moons (Io) has active volcanoes, and others
(Europa) have strange icy terrain. How does this compare with Earth?

Web: <http://galileo.jpl.nasa.gov/discovery.html>

#  Europa Focus Group: Ron Greeley, Chair

> Interests of this focus group relate directly to results analysis for
> this active mission, though it is now in its final operational stages.

####  UCLA: Astrobiology at UCLA: An Integrated Multidisciplinary Approach to 

**Research and Education: William Moore**

> W. Moore has relied heavily on the magnetometer results from the
> spacecraft Galileo to interpret and model the lithospheric structures
> of the four Galilean moons of Jupiter. (Margaret Kivelson, Principal
> Investigator of the Galileo magnetometer, is a colleague at UCLA).
> This experience will transfer to future Europa studies.

####### 4. Genesis Mission 2001-2003 (Solar Wind Samples)

Collect samples of the solar wind, with a million mile journey sunward,
unfolding its collector arrays and \"sunbathing\" for two years, then
returning to Earth with its cargo.

Web: <http://genesismission.jpl.nasa.gov/>

#  ASU: Cosmochemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites: Laurie Leshin 

Analyses performed with this project help to focus analytical techniques
for any

NASA sample return missions, including Genesis.

**5. International Space Station: Biological Experiments**

ESA--ISS Project with NAI Partial Funding: Fly biological samples
exposed to the space environment in a controlled manner aboard the space
station.

Web: <http://www.hq.nasa.gov/office/pao/facts/HTML/FS-004-HQ.html>

**ARC: Life Beyond the Planet of Origin: Roco Mancinelli**

> Funded research project & additional proposal (organism experiments)
> planned for any additional NASA--ISS project funding available. Use
> terrestrial life for experiments in an extraterrestrial experimental
> location (ISS).

####### 6. Kepler Discovery Mission 2006

Photometric observations to detect numerous Earth-like planets in
Earth-like orbits around stars in the disk of our Galaxy (survey all
nearby stars out to 50 parsecs), then follow up by NASA missions, e.g.,
Keck Interferometer, Space Interferometry Mission, and Terrestrial
Planet Finder.

Web: <http://www.kepler.arc.nasa.gov/>

**ARC: Habitable Planets: Jack Lissauer**

# Jack Lissauer who is on the Kepler team is also a Co-I on the Ames proposal.

**CIW: Studies in Planetary Formation and Evolution: Alan Boss**

Alan Boss = Kepler Science Team member

####### 7. Mars Exploration Rovers 2003 

Robotic explorers (2) landing at different regions of Mars, then
traveling daily up to 100 meters across the surface while carrying carry
sophisticated instruments. Mission: Site reconnaissance (360-degree
visible color & infrared panorama) provides images and spectra for
decisions to command the 2 rovers to go to rock/soil targets (evaluate
their composition/texture at microscopic scales) and also search for
evidence of liquid water possibly present in the planet\'s past.

Web: <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/missions/future/2003.html>

#  ARC: Early Microbial Ecosystems: David Des Marais

Mars Exploration Rover 2003 Working Groups

Interdisciplinary Scientist for Astrobiology

Science Operations Working Group

Strategic Planning & Operation of 2003 Mars Exploration Rover

**ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Phil Christensen**

> PI for mini-TES (a mid-IR spectrometer) with Mars Exploration Rover
> missions.

**ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Jack Farmer**

Site Selection Steering Committee for 2003 Mars rover mission.

> Chair of the NAI Mars Focus Group & provided landing site selection
> recommendations for astrobiology during 2000-2001.

**HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: Neoproterozoic-**

> **Cambrian Environmental Change and Evolution: Andrew Knoll, Nora
> Noffke**
>
> Elucidation of microbial mat biosignatures in siliciclastic rocks:
> Provide insights into one of the only sedimentary biosignatures
> observable by the 2003 MER mission & not mimicked easily by physical
> processes. Mars lander and rover missions: Perform scientific studies
> of Mars and demonstrate technology for accurate landing and hazard
> avoidance in traveling to difficult-to-reach sites.

**HAR: Geobiology of Neogene Hematitic Sedimentary Rocks: Andrew Knoll**

Research area ties directly into the 2003 MER lander mission,
particularly

regarding the hematite landing site. Knoll\'s involvement & testing
studies for this

mission will enable us to analyze samples from the Rio Tinto system with
Mars

Athena rover instruments.

**HAR: The Planetary Context of Biological Evolution: The Proterozoic**

**Oxidation of the Earth\'s Surface: Andrew Knoll**

Member of the Science Team for the 2003 MER mission to Mars.

#  JSC: Mineral Biomarkers: Kathie Thomas-Keprta

> Project: Key to understanding possible early life on Mars, influencing
> design of all Mars robotic missions, including the Mars 2003 site
> selection for rovers.

**JSC: Carbonate Globules in Igneous Rocks: David McKay**

> Project: Key to understanding possible early life on Mars, influencing
> design of all current Mars robotic missions: 2003 MER & Mars site
> selection for rovers.
>
> Consideration of carbonate globules in igneous rocks: Influence final
> site selection, operations, and type of data collected, thus providing
> value in the search for life on Mars. Data collection: Search for
> globules in basalts, as well as spectral data collection from
> globules, etc. Igneous terrains cannot be ruled out as possible clues
> to Mars water history and history of possible life. The possibility
> that secondary carbonate globules have formed in typical basalts or
> andesites would make igneous terrains fair game in the search for
> life.

#  JSC: Cold Regions: Microbial Ecology and Biomarkers: John Lisle

# Project: Examine cold region life on Earth and use the information to help choose optimum sites for Mars life searching with the Mars 2003 mission. 

#  JSC: Hematite on Mars: Possible Biogenic Origin: Carl Allen 

> Project: Understanding occurrence of hematite in various terrestrial
> sediments and low temperature deposits will provide the basis for
> targeting Mars robotic missions to hematite sites already identified
> by TES (Thermal Emission Spectrometry). Relates directly to 2003 Mars
> mission site selection and operational planning. Mars 2003 landers may
> be targeted to one or more hematite sites. Understanding the
> morphology, chemistry, and key characteristics of terrestrial hematite
> occurrences associated with biogenic activity will make us more
> intelligently able to design instruments, procedures, and operations
> for detecting evidence for past life on Mars.

#  JSC: Rock Varnish and Microbes: Carl Allen 

> Project: Focus on possibility that rock varnish on Mars may be an
> environment for past or even extant life & feed directly into
> operations planning for the Mars 2003 Athena rover mission.

#  JSC: Morphologic Biomarkers and Microbial Ecology: David McKay

Document reliable biomarkers (distinctive morphologies) & apply data to
Mars

> missions: Images of rocks and soils returned by the Mars 2003 landers
> and rovers. Closeup cameras  Some larger microbial Earth features,
> e.g., stromatolites, clusters of microbes, biofilm, filaments, and
> even larger individual microbes. Document morphology of these features
> in typical terrestrial situations & provide a useful database for Mars
> missions.

#  Mars Focus Group: Jack Farmer, Chair

> Primary goal: Provide science recommendations to help in Mars mission
> planning to explore for past or present life, and/or pre-biotic
> chemistry. Focus 2000-2001: Developing recommendations (landing site
> selection and science priorities) for Mars 2003 mission.

**8. Mars Global Surveyor 1996-\~2003 (MGS)**

Entered Mars orbit (September 1997), then began the MGS prime mapping
mission (March 1999), observing Mars from a low-altitude, nearly polar
orbit for nearly 2 Earth years (1 complete Martian year, ending January
2001). Now in its extended mission phase and returning more data than
all other Mars missions combined, MGS continues to study the Martian
surface, atmosphere, and interior. It particularly provides pictures of
gullies and debris flow features suggesting possible current sources of
liquid water at or near the planet surface.

Web:
<http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.Projects/Space.Science/Solar.System/Mars.Global.Surveyor/>

#  ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Phil Christensen

PI for the TES (Thermal Emission Spectrometer) instrument on MGS

**CIW: Studies in Planetary Formation and Evolution: Sean Solomon**

> Co-I on the Mars Orbiter Laser Altimeter (MOLA) experiment on Mars
> Global Surveyor (MGS) 1998+

**CUB: Planetary Climates: Brian Toon**

> Project: Using data from various Martian spacecraft and a variety of
> instruments, particularly using images of the Martian surface and
> lidar data from the MGS.

**JPL1: Impact Frustration and Subsequent Generation of Biologically
Tenable**

**Climates on Earth and Mars: Thomas Ahrens**

The present analysis of Mars craters supports the Mars Global Surveyor
Mission.

####### 9. Mars Program Planning & Workshops 

**Including MEPAG: Mars Exploration Program/Payload Analysis Group**

General planning for Mars exploration, e.g., issues, science objectives,
including mission implementation and data analysis.

Web:
<http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.News/NASA.News.Releases/Previous.News.Releases/00.News.Releases/00-10.News.Releases/00-10-26.Mars.Exploration.Plan.Outlined>

**ARC: Early Microbial Ecosystems: David Des Marais**

Mars Landing Workshop Group

Mars Reorganization Effort Workshops, Summer 2000

Mars Synthesis Meeting: Concepts/Approaches for Mars Robotic Exploration

& Recommendations for Basic Mars Science

MEPAG Working Group

#  ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Ron Greeley

Chair of MEPAG to develop a long range Mars exploration plan

> SCR: Self-Replicating Molecular Systems and Darwinian Chemistry -
> Benner\'s
>
> Lab: Steven Benner
>
> Served on a MEPAG panel working to design the search for signatures of
> life on Mars.

####### 10. Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter 2005

####### Analyze the surface of Mars at new scales to follow hints of water detected in images from the Mars Global Surveyor spacecraft and bridge the gap between surface observations and orbit measurements at 20-30 cm (8-12 in) resolution, enough to observe rocks the size of beach balls. 

Web: <http://solarsystem.nasa.gov/missions/mars_missns/mars-mro.html>

**ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Jack Farmer**

#######  Mars 2005 Science Definition Team member

####### 11. Mars 2001 Odyssey (2001-\~2007)

####### Orbiting spacecraft designed to: 1) determine composition of the planet's surface (images to identify minerals in the surface soils/rocks and study small-scale geologic processes/ landing site characteristics); 2) detect water and shallow buried ice (measure hydrogen in the upper meter of soil across the planet for possible water indication); 3) study the radiation environment (assess potential risks for future human explorers); and 4) act as communications relay for future Mars landers.

Web: <http://mars.jpl.nasa.gov/odyssey/>

<http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.Projects/Space.Science/Solar.System/2001.Mars.Odyssey/>

**ASU: Exploring Mars for Past or Present Life: Phil Christensen**

PI for THEMIS (Thermal High Emission Infrared Spectrometer)

**JPL1: Development of Life Detection Methodology and Technology:
Kenneth Nealson**

Mineralogical/organismal project research approach interfaces very well
with

> mineralogical aspects of Mars Odyssey 2001. Dr. Nealson = Co-I on this
> mission, with at least two of the JPL/Caltech NAI group involved as
> scientists to carry out data analysis.

####### 12. Messenger 2004-2010 (Mercury: Surface, Space Environment, Geochemistry & Ranging)

####### Scientific investigation of the planet Mercury to understand its characteristics, environment and the forces that shaped it. Orbit Mercury after two flybys of that planet, gathering data using miniaturized space instruments and the spacecraft telecommunications system. 

Web: <http://discovery.jpl.nasa.gov/messenger.html>

#  CIW: Studies in Planetary Formation and Evolution: Sean Solomon

Sean Solomon is PI for this Mercury 2004 mission.

## 13. SOFIA 2004 (Stratospheric Observatory for Infrared Astronomy)

Next-generation airborne astronomical observatory with the largest
airborne telescope (2.5 meter reflecting telescope) in the world to
study the universe in the infrared spectrum (due to begin science
flights in 2004). It will make observations that are impossible for even
the largest and highest of ground-based telescopes.

Web: [http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov](http://sofia.arc.nasa.gov/)

UCLA: Astrobiology at UCLA: An Intergrated Multidisciplinary Approach to

Research and Education: Eric Becklin

Director of the SOFIA airborne infrared observatory: Eric Becklin.

## 

## 14. Stardust Discovery Mission 1999-2006

Mission: Gather and return samples of interstellar dust from our Solar
System as it flies by Comet Wild-2 in January 2004 and return to Earth
in 2006 (Collection of cometary material & interstellar dust samples).

Web:
<http://spacelink.nasa.gov/NASA.Projects/Space.Science/Solar.System/Stardust.Mission/>

**ARC: Chemical Building Blocks : Scott Sanford**

CoI of Stardust mission

#  ASU: Cosmochemistry of Carbonaceous Meteorites: Laurie Leshin

Analyses performed with this project help to focus analytical techniques
for any

NASA sample return missions, including Stardust.

**CIW: Studies of Organic Matter and Water in Meteorites: Conel
Alexander,**

**George Cody, Erik Hauri**

Murchison macromolecule study = Analogue for 'refractory' organic matter
in:

> 1\) interstellar grains to be collected by the STARDUST and 2)
> materials that will be encountered by future missions to comets, e.g.,
> Contour 2002 (comet nucleus tour), Deep Impact 2004 (comet impact to
> study the nature of the crust and inner cometary material), and ESA's
> Rosetta 2003 (comet rendezvous for remote sensing investigations with
> a probe to land on the comet\'s surface and perform in situ
> measurements).

#  UOW: Habitable Planets and Evolution of Bio-Complexity: David Brownlee

Stardust Team PI= David Brownlee.