NASA's 21st Annual Planetary Science Summer School

When:
Session 1: July 20-24, 2009
Session 2: August 3-7, 2009

Where:
Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, California

Application Deadline: May 1, 2009

Notification of Selection: By June 1, 2009

WHO: This program seeks people who have completed their graduate work and beyond in science and engineering fields, and who have a keen interest in a career in planetary exploration. Preference is given to post-docs, recent PhD's and current doctoral students; applications from masters-level students or faculty members will be considered on a space-available basis. Applicants must be living within the U.S. at the time of the application. Preference will be given to U.S. Citizens and U.S. Legal Permanent Residents ("green card" holders). A Letter of Recommendation from your research advisor is required by May 1, 2009.

WHAT: An intensive one-week team exercise learning the process of developing a robotic mission concept into reality through concurrent engineering. Limited funds are available to provide partial support for travel and lodging.

The trainees will participate in a team activity to develop an early mission concept study, working with JPL's Advanced Projects Design Team ("Team X") and other concurrent engineering teams. Using JPL's Project Design Center, trainees will assume roles including principal investigator, project manager, and mission and system designers. They will be mentored and assisted by Team X members. The student teams will carry out the equivalent of a mission concept study responsive to a typical NASA Science Mission Directorate Announcement of Opportunity, prepare a presentation for a proposal authorization review, present it to a review board, and receive feedback. The mission concept topic will be selected in advance by the course sponsors. Pre-session readings and telecons will help trainees develop a good understanding of top-level science requirements and instrument priorities in advance.

WHEN:

• Session 1: July 20-24, 2009 (18 participants)
• Session 2: August 3-7, 2009 (18 participants)

WHERE: Jet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, CA

WHY: To prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers to participate in future missions of solar system exploration.

"Students should get a crash course in what has taken me a career to learn about missions."
--Prof. James W. Head III, Distinguished Professor of Geological Sciences, Brown University, Providence, RI

"This is such a great contribution to the future of our field - you are impacting the careers of many new leaders."
--Prof. Richard P. Binzel. Program Chair in Planetary Science. Massachusetts Institute of Technology
and 2007-08 Chair, Division for Planetary Sciences, American Astronomical Society

At the end of the week, students will have a clearer understanding of the mission design relationships among science instruments, cost, and schedule, and the trade-offs necessary to stay within cost and schedule while preserving the opportunity to acquire high-quality science. They will also understand the lifecycle of a robotic space mission.

HOW: Applications are to be submitted electronically by May 1, 2009.

1. Successful applicants will be post-docs, recent PhDs, or doctoral students in science or engineering with a strong interest in a career in planetary exploration. Faculty members or masters-level students may be considered on a space-available basis.
2. Applicants must be living within the U.S. at the time of the application.
3. Provide a short (one to two paragraphs) statement of
   a) how the summer school relates to your education, research, and career plans,
   b) how you will benefit from attending the session
4. Faculty advisor or current supervisor must provide a signed letter of recommendation on letterhead.

All applicants will be notified of their status by June 1, 2009.

Successful applicants will be required to participate in several group telecons in the weeks prior to the summer school. The telecons will help you identify and understand the science objectives for your mission and to develop the instrument concept.

Logistics: Detailed logistical information will be provided to successful applicants.

There is no registration fee. Partial financial support is available to a limited number of individuals to help defray the expense of travel and lodging only. To qualify for financial support you must

(a) Be selected to participate in the summer school,
(b) Live within the United States at the time you file your application, and
(c) Request financial support in your application.

Civil servants, JPL employees, Caltech students and employees, and individuals living outside the United States are not eligible for financial support.

Participants must initially incur all expenses and will be reimbursed 6 to 8 weeks after a participant's travel expense report is received at JPL. A travel report form must be completed after the participant returns to their point of origin, and must include the original hotel and transportation receipts. Copies of receipts are not acceptable. Rental car expenses will be approved on a case-by-case basis. When processed by JPL's travel auditing department, checks will be issued to reimburse the individual for 80% of expenses up to a maximum of $1000 per person. It is JPL policy to mail reimbursement checks to home addresses only and not to institutions. Allow 6 to 8 weeks after the travel reports are received at JPL to receive reimbursement checks.

If you have questions about the summer school, please contact:

Click here to complete the Application Form. Be prepared to upload your essay answer.