Academic High-Altitude Conference Call for Papers – Deadline April 16, 2012

All who have interest in academic high-altitude ballooning are invited participate in this year’s Academic High-Altitude (AHA) conference, June 27th-29th, at Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, TN. Each year, the AHAC has sought to expand its relevance to those working on the academic side of high altitude ballooning. This year’s conference will present talks that focus on
1.) executing high altitude science research projects,
2.) developing operational capabilities for high altitude balloon flights, and
3.) creating educational opportunities incorporating high altitude balloon flights.

The official call-for-papers/posters and registration is online at http://www.trevecca.edu/AHAC/. The deadline for abstracts is April 16th, 2012. There will be a competition (with prizes) for student posters submitted to the conference. A limited amount of financial aid is available to defray student travel costs.

We are pleased to announce three invited speakers for the conference:
• David Voss, Program Manager, University Nanosat Program, AFRL, Kirtland AFB
• Mike Smith, Senior Aerospace Engineer, Aerostar International, Inc.
• Paul Verhage, Writer, Educator

Please note the three workshops on the Monday and Tuesday preceding the main conference (June 25th and 26th). Two of these will cover advanced technical topics, and the third will focus on integrating high altitude flights into undergraduate curricula. Details are on the conference website (http://www.trevecca.edu/AHAC/).

Call for Papers: Solar System Exploration @ 50 Symposium – Abstracts Due By Feb 21, 2012

Call for Papers - Symposium Commemorating 50 Years of Planetary Exploration

To commemorate the 50th anniversary of the first successful planetary mission, Mariner 2 sent to Venus, the NASA History Program Office and the Division of Space History at the National Air and Space Museum invite papers for a conference relating to the history of planetary exploration. This historical symposium will be held in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 25-27, 2012.

Entitled “Solar System Exploration @ 50,” the purpose of this symposium is to consider what we have learned about the other bodies of the solar system and the process whereby we have learned it. This symposium seeks to pursue broader questions relating to the history of planetary exploration.

International scholars and graduate students seeking exposure to the history of the planetary sciences are particularly welcome. Proposals for papers should include a title and abstract, as well as the author’s curriculum vita. Please send all proposals, in the form of a 300-word abstract and a brief vita electronically to Dr. William P. Barry, NASA chief historian, at bill.barry@nasa.gov, and Dr. Roger D. Launius, senior curator in space history at the National Air and Space Museum, launiusr@si.edu.

The deadline for abstract submissions is Feb. 21, 2012.

For more information, visit http://history.nasa.gov/Solar%20System%20Exploration%20@%2050%20Call%20for%20Papers.pdf.

Call For Abstracts – International Astronautical Congress – Deadline February 29, 2012

Call for Abstracts – 63rd International Astronautical Congress (IAC)
Naples, Italy – October 1-5, 2012

The International Astronautical Congress (IAC) is the largest space-related conference worldwide and selects an average of 1000 scientific papers every year. The IAC is organized by the International Astronautical Federation (IAF), the International Academy of Astronautics (IAA), and the International Institute of Space Law (IISL).

In 2012, the IAC will be held in Naples, Italy, October 1-5, 2012. The IAC has posted a “Call for Abstracts,” with a submission deadline of February 29, 2012 (14:00 CET). NASA plans to also announce a “Call for Abstracts” inviting graduate students to submit abstracts (of no more than 400 words) to participate in the 63rd International Astronautical Congress. Abstracts must be submitted to NASA and to the IAF. Details on the NASA “Call for Abstracts” is to be determined (TBD). The selected NASA sponsored students are required to also be selected by the IAF.

Please visit the IAC website, http://www.iac2012.org/ for additional information about the Congress and to obtain information about the “Call for Abstracts,” visit, http://www.iafastro.org/docs/2012/iac/IAC2012_CallForPapers.pdf.

Important IAC Deadlines
• Abstract submission closes February 29, 2012 (14:00 CET)
• Paper Submission closes September 12, 2012 (14:00 CET)
• Presentation Submission closes September 26, 2012 (14:00 CET)

The point of contact at NASA is Carolyn Knowles, carolyn.knowles-1@nasa.gov.

1st Deadline Extended – Annual International Space Station Research and Development Conference

The 1st Annual International Space Station (ISS) Research and Development and Conference will be held June 26-28, 2012, at The Denver Marriott City Center. This conference is organized by the American Astronautical Society (AAS) in partnership with NASA and the Center for the Advancement of Science in Space Inc. (CASIS). The program outline is posted at http://www.astronautical.org/node/96.

A Call for Papers is posted at http://www.astronautical.org/node/96.  Manuscripts are solicited on topics related to science and technology activities (past, present, planned and proposed) on the ISS, including but not limited to Biology and Biotechnology, Earth and Space Science, Human Research, Physical Sciences, Education Activities, and Technology and Exploration.  The abstract deadline has been extended to January 30, 2012.

This conference will focus on ISS research and development-research results and future opportunities in physical sciences, life sciences, Earth and space sciences, and spacecraft technology development. Plenary sessions will highlight major results and pathways to future opportunities.  Organizations managing and funding research on ISS, including NASA programs and the ISS National Laboratory will provide overviews of upcoming opportunities.  Parallel technical sessions will provide tracks for scientists to be updated on significant accomplishments to date within their disciplines.  The meeting also includes a workshop designed to help new users take this information and develop their own ideas for experiments using this unique laboratory.  Potential ISS users who attend will learn: “What can I do on the ISS?  How can I do it?  What are sources for funding?”

Please plan to join us for this first annual conference offering perspectives on the full breadth of research and technology development on ISS, including one stop for the full suite of opportunities for future research.  Details and registration information will be posted on the web site.

2011 National Mars Education Conference: Bring Curiosity Into Your Classroom – Nov 25-27, 2011

NASA is preparing to launch the Mars rover named Curiosity. Educators are invited to join NASA in Florida for an educator conference and a potential launch viewing. The educator conference is filled with standards-aligned activities, mission team speakers, a tour of NASA’s Kennedy Space Center and learning materials to take home.

The conference will take place Nov. 25-27, 2011, in Cocoa Beach, Fla. A conference fee of $125 per participant is due by Nov. 18, 2011.

For more information about this unique opportunity, visit http://marsed.asu.edu/curiosity

2012 National Community College Aerospace Scholars Program – Application Deadline Nov 15, 2011

National Community College Aerospace Scholars is an interactive, online learning experience featuring engineering career possibilities. It is highlighted by an on-site experience where selected students are encouraged to study mathematics, science, engineering or computer science by interacting with engineers at NASA.

The only cost to participants is a $30 registration fee. NASA covers travel, food and lodging. NCAS is open to community college students throughout United States. Applicants must be U.S. citizens and have access to the internet.

Applications are due Nov. 15, 2011.

For more information and to apply online, visit http://ncas.aerospacescholars.org/

Questions about this opportunity should be directed to jsc-ncas@mail.nasa.gov.

100 Year Starship Study Public Symposium – Sept 30 – Oct 2, 2011

NASA’s Ames Research Center in California and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency will host a public symposium for the 100 Year Starship Study. The symposium will take place Sept. 30 – Oct. 2, 2011, in Orlando, Fla. Registration to attend the symposium is free and open to the public.

The 100 Year Starship Study aims to stimulate students, academia, industry, researchers and the public to consider possibilities and issues surrounding long-duration, long-distance spaceflight.

This endeavor will require an understanding of questions such as: how do organizations evolve and maintain focus and momentum for 100 years or more; what models have supported long term technology.

The 100 YSS public symposium will feature presentations of papers and panel discussion in seven relevant tracks related to interstellar travel:

– Time-Distance Solutions — Propulsion, time/space manipulation and/or dilation, near speed of light navigation, faster than light navigation, observations and sensing at near speed of light or faster than light
Track Chair: Dr. Jim Benford

– Habitats and Environmental Science — To have gravity or not, space and radiation effects, environmental toxins, energy collection and use, agriculture, self-supporting environments, optimal habitat sizing
Track Chair: Dr. Chris McKay |

– Biology and Space Medicine — Physiology in space, psychology in space, human life suspension (e.g., cryogenic), medical facilities and capabilities in space, on-scene (end of journey) spawning from genetic material
Track Chair: Dr. Neal Pellis

– Education, Social, Economic and Legal Considerations — Education as a mission, who goes, who stays, to profit or not, economies in space, communications back to Earth, political ramifications, round-trip legacy investments — assets left behind
Track Chair: Dr. Mae Jemison

– Destinations — Criteria for destination selection, what do you take, how many destinations and missions, probes versus journeys of faith
Track Chair: Dr. Jill Tarter

– Philosophical and Religious Considerations — Why go to the stars, moral and ethical issues, implications of finding hospitable worlds, implications of finding life elsewhere, implications of being left behind
Track Chair: Mr. Stewart Brand

– Communication of the Vision — Storytelling as a means of inspiration, linkage between incentives, payback and investment, use of movies, television and books to popularize long-term research, long-term journeys
Track Chair: Dr. Harry Kloor

In addition, the symposium will feature a science fiction authors’ panel discussion, special social events and an exhibit hall.

For more information about the 100 Year Starship Study and the public symposium, please visit the website at: http://www.100yss.org.

If you have questions about the study or the public symposium, please email your inquiries to info@100yss.org.

Presenters Needed for 2012 Space Exploration Educators Conference

The 18th Annual Space Exploration Educators Conference, or SEEC, is taking place Feb. 2-4, 2012, at Space Center Houston. The goal of SEEC is to encourage K-12 educators to use space to teach all subjects in their classrooms. Over 700 educators gather for this event each year.

Conference organizers are looking for 170 interactive sessions that present exciting classroom activities. All sessions must have a hands-on component; lecture sessions will not be accepted. Proposals will be accepted between Sept. 1 and Sept. 9, 2011.

For more information, visit http://spacecenter.org/TeachersSEEC.html