SPONSOR

Golden Spike Company

MEETING ORGANIZER

 

Universities Space Research Association

(USRA)

CONVENERS

 

Daniel Durda

Southwest Research Institute

Stephen Mackwell

Lunar and Planetary Institute

William McKinnon

Washington University in St. Louis

Clive R. Neal

University of Notre Dame

S. Alan Stern

Golden Spike Company

SCIENTIFIC ORGANIZING COMMITTEE

 

Mahesh Anand

Open University

James Carpenter

European Space Agency

Daniel Durda

Southwest Research Institute

Stephen Mackwell

Lunar and Planetary Institute

William McKinnon

Washington University in St. Louis

Clive R. Neal

University of Notre Dame

S. Alan Stern

Golden Spike Company

Second Announcement — June 2013

Meeting Location and Date

Golden Spike Human Lunar Expeditions:  Opportunities for Intensive Lunar Scientific Exploration will be held October 3–4, 2013, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute (LPI), located in the Universities Space Research Association (USRA) building, 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston TX 77058.

Purpose and Scope

Commercial spaceflight is rapidly beginning to advance capabilities for planetary research in new ways.

In late 2012, the Golden Spike Company, consisting of space professionals and numerous veteran NASA engineers and executives, announced plans to mount a series of commercial human lunar expeditions in the 2020s, primarily for the purpose of scientific lunar exploration by space and science agencies in countries around the world. More information about Golden Spike can be found at goldenspikecompany.com.

Each Golden Spike expedition will place an exploration crew of two individuals for a period of 1.5–2 days at a lunar nearside site chosen by the expedition customer(s). Like early Apollo “H” missions, each expedition will also be able to deliver scientific exploration equipment and experiments to the lunar surface, and to return tens of kilograms of samples to Earth.

The primary goals of this workshop are (1) to provide a detailed overview of Golden Spike expedition capabilities to the worldwide lunar science community, and (2) to seek feedback and input on science and exploration priorities and associated landing sites, surface experiment package desires, and sample return requirements. The workshop will also explore the synergistic possibilities of the 20 human lunar exploration expeditions envisioned by Golden Spike.

The meeting will also explore desired future capabilities for more advanced Golden Spike missions, and the synergistic roles of Golden Spike human expeditions and robotic exploration missions.

Meeting Format

The workshop will consist of plenary sessions and a poster session over a period of 1.7 days (all day October 3 and most of October 4). There will be morning and afternoon oral sessions organized around topical themes, several invited presentations, and several discussion panels. Ample time will be reserved for questions and discussion. A number of contributed talk slots are available, and an evening poster session will be held on October 3.

Current Agenda

Call For Abstracts

Abstract Deadline — Thursday, July 25, 2013, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (GMT -5)

• No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
• Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered; they must all be submitted using the electronic abstract submission form.
• Abstracts are limited to one page.
• All abstracts must be submitted in PDF format.
• All abstracts must be submitted in U.S. letter size format (8.5" × 11") and must include a one-inch margin on all four sides; A4 submissions will be rejected by the system.
• Abstract file sizes must be no larger than 1.5 MB; larger files will be automatically rejected by the system.
• If not using the template provided leave a one-inch margin on all four sides of your document.

Authors are encouraged to start the submission process early so the USRA staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems. For technical assistance, contact Linda Tanner (281-486-2142), or send an e-mail message to [email protected].

Unable to Produce PDF Files? Authors who are unable to produce a PDF file may send their source files (must be in Word or PostScript format) to USRA no later than July 11, 2013. A PDF file will be created and returned to the author, but it is the author’s responsibility to submit that PDF file by the time of the abstract deadline. Source files should be sent to [email protected].

Preparation and Submission of Abstracts

Step 1:   Download the appropriate template

Step 2:   Write the abstract (no more than one page) using the format shown in the template

Step 3:  Create a PDF file (no larger than 1.5 MB)

Step 4:  Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload the abstract file

Registration

Credit card registrations:   Participants registering by credit card MUST use the secure electronic registration form.

Other methods of payment:  Those registering using any other method of payment (check, money order, traveler’s check, or wire transfer) must contact the USRA Meeting Registrar for detailed instructions.

Third-Party Payments:  Participants required to register using a third party (e.g., SATERN for NASA civil servants) should still register in advance using the electronic registration form. The confirmation e-mail you receive after registering will include payment instructions to submit to the third party. Please be aware, however, that your registration will not be considered complete until the funds have been received.

Cancellations:  Requests for cancellation with a fee refund (less a $25.00 processing fee) will only be accepted through September 26, 2013. Those who fail to attend and do not notify USRA prior to the September 26 deadline will forfeit their full fee.

Check-in:  Workshop registration and check-in will open at 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, October 3.

Accommodations

Participants are responsible for making their own travel arrangements and hotel reservations. A limited block of guest rooms has been reserved at the hotels listed below.

Hilton Houston NASA Clear Lake (3000 NASA Road One, Houston TX 77058-4322)

Courtyard by Marriott–Houston NASA/Nassau Bay (18100 Saturn Lane, Houston TX 77058).

For a list of other hotels in the area, refer to the Bay Area Houston Hotel Information. The location of the hotels in relation to the USRA building is shown on the area map.

Transportation/Parking

Attendees will park at the University Baptist Church Clear Lake, located at 16106 Middlebrook Drive, Houston TX 77059. A shuttle will be available throughout the workshop to and from the USRA building. A map is available at the University Baptist Church website.

Indication of Interest

To subscribe to a mailing list to receive electronic reminders and special announcements relating to the meeting via e-mail, please submit an electronic Indication of Interest form by July 11, 2013.

Contacts

For further information regarding the scientific content of the meeting:

Dr. Alan Stern
Golden Spike Company
E-mail:  [email protected]

Dr. Steve Mackwell
Lunar and Planetary Institute
E-mail:  [email protected]

Dr. Clive R. Neal
University of Notre Dame
E-mail:  [email protected]

Dr. Bill McKinnon
Washington University
E-mail:  [email protected]

For further information regarding meeting coordination or announcements:

Kira Honnoll
Meeting and Publication Services
USRA-Houston
Phone:  281-244-2011
E-mail:  [email protected]

For further information regarding abstract submission or registration:

Linda Tanner
Meeting and Publication Services
USRA-Houston
Phone:  281-486-2142
E-mail:  [email protected]

Schedule