2nd Information Circular

15^th^ MEPAG Meeting

April 19-20, 2006

[Primary Meeting Objectives]{.underline}:

1.  Current status of NASA's Mars Exploration Program, and an update on
    future planning.

2.  Report from the MEPAG Science Analysis Group focusing on defining
    key investigations for the 2011/2013 Mars Science and
    Telecommunications Orbiter (the MSTO SAG)

3.  Report from the MEPAG Science Analysis Group on proposed
    clarification of martian 'special regions', as used in planetary
    protection (the SR-SAG)

4.  Discussion of the instrument lifecycle, with an analysis of lessons
    learned and issues to address. In addition, MEPAG plans to analyze
    the current state of our Mars-relevant instrument development
    efforts, and to identify what future work is needed to implement the
    orbital and landed measurements proposed in the new Program Plan.

 

[Who should attend?]{.underline}

Scientists and engineers wanting to be involved in Mars exploration are
invited to participate.

[Basic Logistics]{.underline}:

-   [Dates]{.underline}: April 19-20, 2006. Start at 8 AM on Wednesday,
    April 19, end at 5 PM on Thursday, April 20.

-   [Location]{.underline}: The Holiday Inn, 924 W. Huntington Dr.,
    Monrovia, CA, 12 miles east of JPL. The hotel is located 22 miles
    east of the Burbank Airport; 38 miles northeast of Los Angeles
    International Airport (FROM LAX: 105-E TO 605-N TO 210-W; Exit I-210
    AT HUNTINGTON DR.; this route avoids downtown LA), and 31 miles west
    of the Ontario airport. It was the location for MEPAG's June 2004
    and November 2005 meetings.

# Agenda

![](media/image1.pct)

[RSVP needed]{.underline}:

> So that we can plan the meeting logistics (e.g., seating, coffee/tea,
> name badges), we request that all participants **RSVP by April 5** to
> Debbie Calderón at <Debbie.Calderon@jpl.nasa.gov>; or (818) 354-9470.

[Hotel]{.underline}: The Holiday Inn (924 WEST HUNTINGTON DR., MONROVIA,
CA 91016, Tel: 1-626-357-1900, Fax: 1-626-359-1386) is holding a block
of 100 rooms for MEPAG meeting participants **until April 7**. After
that date, rooms will be sold on a space-available basis. The special
rate for MEPAG meeting attendees is \$89/night. To secure a reservation
at the special rate, please contact the hotel directly and advise that
you are a **JPL/MEPAG meeting participant (code PAG).**

> Hotel amenities include: outdoor pool, high-speed Internet access,
> on-site guest self-laundry facilities (washer/dryer), health/fitness
> facility on-site. The hotel has ample free parking. If we
> over-subscribe this hotel, there are others within walking distance
> (in this contingency, contact Debbie if you need help).

![](media/image2.png){width="6.497916666666667in"
height="4.9527777777777775in"}

![](media/image3.png){width="6.497916666666667in"
height="4.9527777777777775in"}

[Posters]{.underline}: For this meeting, we have not made arrangements
for volunteered poster displays.

We would like to extend a special invitation to the Project Science
Group for MSL, who will be meeting the two days before the MEPAG meeting
at the same hotel---please attend!!!

If you need additional logistical information, please contact Andy
Morrison, who will be filling in for Terry Martin, the MEPAG meeting
coordinator (<Andrew.D.Morrison@jpl.nasa.gov>).

If your correspondence/contact information (your affiliation name,
mailing address, phone and fax numbers, preferred email address) has
changed within the past year or so please forward the information to
Debbie Calderón (<Debbie.Calderon@jpl.nasa.gov>), so we can maintain the
MEPAG contact database.  This database has now grown to about 1800
names---hard copies will be distributed at the meeting.