#leag2014

Second Announcement — July 2014

Meeting Location and Date

The 2014 Annual Meeting of the Lunar Exploration Analysis Group will be held October 22–24, 2014, at the John Hopkins University/Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, Maryland.

For information about the laboratory, directions, and nearby hotels, please visit the APL Visitor’s Guide.

Purpose and Scope

Data from the recent suite of robotic missions to the Moon and analysis of lunar samples has shown that the Moon has an incredibly dynamic volatile system that is just beginning to be understood.

The focus for this year's meeting is the topic of lunar volatiles — which species are present, their abundance on the surface and interior, their sources and formation processes, their mobility and temporary storage on the surface, and their ultimate fate (be it loss from the lunar environment or “permanent” sequestration in surface reservoirs). The presence of volatiles in and on the Moon has important implications for in situ resource utilization applications in support of extended human stays on the lunar surface and feed-forward to sending humans to Mars and beyond.

Another focus area will be the Global Exploration Roadmap (GER). The GER has identified a number of possible targets for human exploration missions — the Moon, Asteroids, cis-lunar space. In part, the objectives include the characterization and utilization of volatiles. An important aspect for the Roadmap, with respect to the Moon and asteroids, is the scientific objectives of such human missions and how these relate to volatiles.

Other topics of interest will be a discussion of future lunar robotic missions, be they government, international or private, their scientific potential and objectives, and how they can build towards a sustained lunar and solar system exploration program.

Participation of early career scientists is encouraged and avenues are being pursued to secure some travel support for students, post-doctoral researchers, etc. More information will be available in the second announcement.

Meeting Format

The three day meeting will promote lunar community discourse through both invited and contributed oral presentations, poster presentations and discussion sessions. As in previous years, the sessions will be a blend of science, exploration, resource utilization, and commercial activities. Contributed abstracts are highly encouraged and should be centered on recent scientific results, potential missions and technologies for lunar exploration, and concepts of lunar resource exploitation.

Call for Abstracts

Abstracts are solicited for any area of lunar science and exploration. This year we are planning on sessions focused on the following topics:

Water and other volatiles at the lunar poles
Volatiles from the lunar interior
Resources that enhance science and exploration
Future missions for science and exploration
Orbital and surface missions
Commercial, government, international partnerships

Abstract Deadline — Abstract Deadline EXTENDED – Monday, August 18, 2014, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time – (GMT -5) There will be no further extensions.

• No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
• Abstracts sent by e-mail will NOT be considered.
• Abstracts are limited to two pages.
• 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 August 14, 2014. 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].

IF YOU NEED TO REVISE YOUR ABSTRACT (PRIOR TO THE DEADLINE ONLY):
If you discover an error and need to replace your abstract file, or correct the information submitted on the form, return to the abstract submission portion of the meeting portal and click on the "Update" link that appears next to the title of the abstract you submitted.

Preparation and Submission of Abstracts

Step 1:   Download the appropriate template

Step 2:   Write the abstract (no more than two pages) 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

Registration

There will be no registration fee for this meeting. All participants should register in advance, no later than Friday, October 10, 2014, to guarantee necessary meeting materials and seating.

To register:   ALL participants should use the secure electronic registration form.

Travel Funds  

Limited travel support will be available to needy graduate students and post-docs conducting lunar science research. Students must be U.S. citizens or legal residents. You must submit an abstract on your research to the LEAG meeting and answer in the affirmative to the appropriate question on the abstract submission form. Selection of individuals will be made by the LEAG Executive Committee on the basis of the importance and relevance of the research. 

Deadline for application is Thursday, August 14, 2014, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Daylight Time (GMT -5) (the abstract deadline). You will be notified by e-mail if you were selected for assistance.

Contacts

For further information regarding the scientific content of the meeting contact

Name of Primary Scientific Contact:

Samuel Lawrence
Email:  [email protected]

or

Jeff Plescia
Email:  [email protected]

For further information regarding meeting details or announcements contact:

Ingrid Dudley
Meeting and Publication Services
Universities Space Research Association (USRA)
Phone:  281-244-2151
E-mail:  [email protected]

Schedule