Meeting Planning Services

Call for Abstracts

Abstract Deadline — February 24, 2022, 5:00 p.m. U.S. Central Standard Time (GMT -6)

Introduction and Context

With the Artemis missions, humans will return to the Moon using innovative technologies to explore the surface. We will use what we learn on and around the Moon to send the first astronauts to Mars. A human mission to Mars will be a landmark achievement and a golden opportunity to conduct groundbreaking science on Mars. The potential scope of the science activities and investigations is extraordinary. This workshop will identify the highest priority science questions for the first human missions to the surface of Mars and then develop possible concepts of operation that will enable that science.

Contributions should focus on identifying the highest priority scientific questions for a human mission to Mars. Targeted science themes for this workshop include: search for evidence of life, weather and climate, geologic history, and planetary evolution. Additionally, contributions should include a discussion of any special equipment/instruments needed to address the scientific questions and how the human crew should utilize this equipment. Finally, workshop discussions will characterize potential concepts of operation needed by a human mission to address the science questions. Please note: human research conducted on a Mars mission is not in the scope of this workshop, and plans are underway to include this scope in future workshops.

The science conducted by a human crew on the Mars missions will depend on the basic parameters of the surface deployment. Abstracts should discuss how the proposed science investigations would or wouldn’t fit into each of the four different notional scenarios for a human mission to Mars listed below. These scenarios are derived from various NASA Mars Architecture studies over the past 20 years and reflect endmembers that might drive different science outcomes. Alternative scenarios can also be considered (see Format of Abstract below). Abstracts should indicate which scenario is preferred for the science objectives identified.

1. Short-Stay Extra Extravehicular Activity (EVA): In this scenario, a crew of two lands on the surface for a 30-sol (1 sol = 24.65 hours) surface mission. Science payloads delivered to the surface are nominally up to 2500 kg*. Up to 45 hours of EVA per crew member are available to conduct scientific investigations. Mass allocation for sample return is nominally 100 kg**.
2. Short-Stay Extra Robots: In this scenario, a crew of two lands on the surface for a 30-sol surface mission. Science payloads delivered to the surface are nominally up to 2500 kg*, though additional robotic assets may be pre-deployed with sufficient justification. Only 20 hours of EVA per crew member are available to conduct science operations. Due to limited EVA, science investigations proposed for this scenario should be appropriate for robotic/human-partnered activities. Mass allocation for sample return is nominally 100 kg**.
3. Long-Stay Long Mobility: In this scenario, a crew of four lands on the surface for up to a 300-sol surface mission. Science payloads delivered to the surface are nominally up to 1000 kg*. Multiple EVAs per week are available. Up to 20 hours of EVA time per crew member per week is possible, but the total EVA time for the surface mission will not exceed 400 hours per crew member. The primary living space in this scenario would be a small habitat and a pair of pressurized rovers. These rovers are capable of at least one 100-km traverse over the mission timeline. Mass allocation for sample return is nominally 100 kg**.
4. Long-Stay Fixed Hab: In this scenario, a crew of four lands on the surface for up to a 300-sol surface mission. Science payloads delivered are nominally up to 3000 kg*. Multiple EVAs per week are available. Up to 20 hours of EVA time per crew member per week is possible, but the total EVA time for the surface mission will not exceed 400 hours per crew member. A modest-sized fixed habitat will have space available for shirt-sleeve science investigations (this habitat-based science mass is included in the science allocation). Mass allocation for sample return is nominally 100 kg**.

* Science allocation includes handheld instruments, rovers, robotic assets, drills, analytical instruments, etc.
** Mass allocation for sample return includes sample containers and any environmental conditioning (e.g., freezers).

Format of Abstracts

Each abstract should include the following elements:

1. Focused science objectives (1–3) for the proposed investigation to be conducted using the capabilities provided by the human mission to Mars. Objectives should include a short rationale and be mapped to community documents, including the Mars Exploration Program Advisory Group (MEPAG) goals document and Human Science Objectives-Science Analysis Group (HSO-SAG) report.
2. Description of the measurements and equipment needed (including transportation equipment) to accomplish the proposed objectives mapped to each scenario, including estimates of mass and power required. Description of how the proposed investigations fit or don’t fit within the four scenarios outlined in this call.
3. Description of the concept of operations to accomplish the proposed measurements mapped to each scenario, including the role of humans and the amount of EVA needed***. Description of how the proposed conops fit or don’t fit within the four scenarios outlined in this call.
4. If an alternate scenario is desired, include it in the analyses for items #2 and #3 and provide the rationale for deviations to scenario guidelines.

Landing sites will be specifically considered in another upcoming workshop — abstracts can include landing site descriptions as part of the description of the rationale, concept of operations, or mission scenario, but lengthy landing site discussions are discouraged. Mission scenarios that require unrealistic landing sites such as very high latitudes (>60°) or very high altitudes (>2 km) will not receive strong consideration.

*** EVA time needed, traverse distance required, robotic/human interactions, time required for any special equipment/instruments, etc.

Abstract Submission Guidelines

• There is no limit to the number of abstracts submitted by any individual. Abstracts that propose unrealistic mission scenarios that substantially diverge from the constraints outlined here will not receive strong consideration.
• The workshop will not include poster presentations.
• No late abstracts will be accepted, regardless of the reason.
• Abstracts sent by email will not be considered.
• Abstracts are limited to two pages.
• All abstracts must be submitted as PDF files.
• All abstracts must be submitted in U.S. letter size format (8.5” × 11”) and 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 3 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 LPI staff will have time to provide assistance in the event of technical problems. For technical assistance, contact Debbie Mitchell (281-486-2106) or email [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 the LPI no later than February 21, 2022. A PDF file will be created and returned to the author. It is the author’s responsibility to submit the PDF file by the abstract deadline. Source files should be sent to [email protected].

Abstract Revisions (before the deadline): If you 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 3 MB).
• Step 4: Fill out the electronic abstract submission form and upload the abstract file.