Editor: Alex Morgan
Co-Editors: Mark V. Sykes, Matthew R Perry
Email: pen_editor@psi.edu
X: @pen2tweets
Bluesky: @planetarynews.bsky.social

o-------------------------TABLE OF CONTENTS---------------------------o

1. Editorial: Keep SWAP and PEPSSI Instruments Alive on New Horizons
2. [NASA] Introducing NASA's Planetary Research Programs Newsletter
3. [NASA] First Landing Site Workshop for the SkyFall Mission
4. [NASA] PDS: SCALPSS Data Available in PDS
5. [NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 67
6. [NASA] ROSES-25 Amendment 75: Corrections to Several Program 
   Elements Regarding SciENcv and Other Topics
7. [NASA] Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute CAN-5
   Frequently Asked Questions
8. Tenure-Track Faculty Position in Earth, Environmental and Planetary 
   Sciences at Rice University
9. PhD Opportunities in Interdisciplinary Space Sciences and Planetary 
   Research at the Austrian Academy of Sciences
10. Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund Travel Grant
11. Anonymous Survey on Sample Analysis Data Curation in Planetary 
    Science
12. Free Digital Elevation Models and Orthorectified Images Provided 
    by USGS Astrogeology for S-Cubed Mars and Lunar Proposers
13. [DPS-58] Program And Registration
14. [DPS-58] Please Reserve Conference Lodging
15. [DPS-58] Dependent Care Applications
16. [DPS-58] Information for Exhibitors and Sponsors
17. [DPS 58] Panel Discussion on AI
18. DPS Seeks a New Secretary
19. DPS Seeks a New Education Subcommittee Chair 
20. Planetary Meeting Calendar Additions
21. Planetary Science Journal - New Papers
22. Journal of Geophysical Research: Planets - New Papers
23. Planetary Research - New Papers

o---------------------------------------------------------------------o

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EDITORIAL: KEEP SWAP AND PEPSSI INSTRUMENTS ALIVE ON NEW HORIZONS

Humanity's only ability to measure charged particle energies in the 
outer heliosphere is threatened by budget pressures on New Horizons. 
Voyager 1 and 2 were not able to take the same types of measurements 
on their way to interstellar space, and these utterly unique 
measurements for humanity could be lost for decades or even a century. 
This article hosted by the Planetary Society explains more and links 
to a petition to keep the SWAP and PEPSSI instruments activated beyond 
their current September 30 switch-off date:

https://tinyurl.com/4pevum6m

Kirby Runyon, Planetary Science Institute, New Horizons Science Team 
Member, un-funded.


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[NASA] INTRODUCING NASA'S PLANETARY RESEARCH PROGRAMS NEWSLETTER

We are thrilled to announce the inaugural issue of the NASA Planetary 
Research Programs Community Update! We created this biannual 
newsletter with you in mind, aiming to ensure you have the information 
and connectivity you need to be successful:

https://tinyurl.com/2svak5pw

We've included sections to share key dates, deadlines, opportunities, 
and upcoming activities, as well as to highlight your science and 
introduce new team members at NASA HQ. A link to our new process for 
submitting science highlights is included at the end:

https://tinyurl.com/yuyzstr9

If you'd like to view current or past issues of the newsletter, you 
can bookmark this page:

https://tinyurl.com/ykwcfjj6

We look forward to your feedback as we continue to strive to support 
this amazing community!

Questions about the newsletter may be directed to 
aaron.burton@nasa.gov


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[NASA] FIRST LANDING SITE WORKSHOP FOR THE SKYFALL MISSION

February 9-10, 2027, Virtual

You are invited to participate in the First Landing Site Workshop 
(LSW) for the SkyFall mission to Mars. The virtual workshop will be 
held February 9-10, 2027, and will be the first of two science-focused 
workshops to identify potential landing sites and adjacent exploration 
zones of high scientific value that satisfy the engineering 
constraints imposed by the project and spacecraft design. Given the 
rapid development cadence of the SkyFall mission, the LSW process will 
necessarily be abbreviated compared to those of prior missions, though 
the Mars Exploration Program and SkyFall project are committed to 
using the available time and resources to maximize science value in 
the selection of landing site.

Prior to the First Landing Site Workshop, individuals and 
self-organized groups are encouraged to identify potential landing 
sites for preliminary assessment by the SkyFall team. Information on 
how to submit potential sites may be found in the SkyFall Mission 
Information Package:

https://tinyurl.com/yse4dkpt

Individuals/teams that propose a site that satisfies engineering 
constraints and demonstrates promising science value will be invited 
to present their site at the First LSW.

https://tinyurl.com/mcuvedad

Direct questions to skyfall_lsw_input@jpl.nasa.gov

[Edited for length]


4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4-4

TENURE-TRACK FACULTY POSITION IN EARTH, ENVIRONMENTAL AND PLANETARY 
SCIENCES AT RICE UNIVERSITY

The Department of Earth, Environmental and Planetary Sciences at Rice 
University, in Houston, TX, seeks applications for a tenure-track 
assistant professor position. Applications are encouraged from 
scientists who innovatively develop and adapt Artificial Intelligence 
(AI) methods to advance understanding of processes in Earth, 
Environmental and Planetary Sciences. Approaches that harness the 
potential of AI in conjunction with terrestrial or space-based 
geoscience data, computational and physics-based modeling of 
geoscience processes, and/or field observations are encouraged. 
Ideal candidates will have demonstrated expertise in developing and 
adapting AI methods for problems in the geoscience domain, potentially 
encompassing molecular to planetary scales and from Earth's atmosphere 
to its deep interior. We welcome research linked to major challenges 
in natural hazards, energy transition, climate, and environmental 
systems.

Successful candidates are expected to establish a vigorous, externally 
funded research program, teach core courses, develop undergraduate and 
graduate courses within their area of expertise, and be involved in 
service to the department, university, and the broader scientific 
community.

All candidates must have earned a related Ph.D. degree by the time of 
the appointment.

For further information and application instructions, please visit:

https://apply.interfolio.com/193007


5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5-5

PHD OPPORTUNITIES IN INTERDISCIPLINARY SPACE SCIENCES AND PLANETARY 
RESEARCH AT THE AUSTRIAN ACADEMY OF SCIENCES

As part of its Young Researcher Programme YRP@Graz, the Space Research 
Institute (IWF) of the Austrian Academy of Sciences (OeAW) invites 
applications for two PhD positions (30h/week). This programme offers 
exciting opportunities in space science, from exoplanet research and 
astrochemistry to instrument development.

Projects in this call include developing a next-generation ion mass 
spectrometer for the Saturnian system and atmospheric modelling of 
rocky exoplanets. For more details, see:

https://tinyurl.com/5794n36t

We seek excellent candidates with a Master's degree in physics, 
astrophysics, geoscience, computational chemistry, electrical 
engineering, or an equivalent field. The positions are for a minimum 
of three years, starting as early as February 1, 2027.

The application process has two stages, with stage 1 being an 
anonymised questionnaire (submission deadline: October 31, 2026), 
stage 2 takes the form of an interview.

For detailed project descriptions and application instructions, please 
visit:

https://oeawnr.onlyfy.jobs/de/job/2xjqwg3g

We look forward to receiving your application!


6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6-6

GERALD A. SOFFEN MEMORIAL FUND TRAVEL GRANT

The Gerald A. Soffen Memorial Fund is pleased to announce the Fall 
2026 Travel Grant application opportunity for undergraduate and 
graduate students pursuing studies in fields of space science and 
engineering. 

The Travel Grants enable student recipients to attend professional 
conferences to present their research. Recipients may use the Grant 
for either virtual or in-person conferences. The Soffen Fund will 
award up to $2000 in total, with no individual award greater than 
$1000, to cover expenses related to presenting research at either a 
virtual or in-person conference. 

The Fall 2026 Travel Grant application deadline is October 9, 2026. 
Jerry Soffen, a biologist by training, led a distinguished career in 
NASA, including serving as the Project Scientist for Viking and as an 
architect for the NASA Astrobiology Institute. The Travel Grant 
continues Jerry's dedication to educating and involving future 
generations in space science and engineering pursuits. The electronic 
application materials and instructions are located on the Soffen Fund 
website: 

https://soffenfund.org

Questions regarding the application or application process may be sent 
to:

ec@nasa-academy.org


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[NASA] SOLAR SYSTEM EXPLORATION RESEARCH VIRTUAL INSTITUTE CAN-5
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) 
Cooperative Agreement Notice (CAN)-5 solicits multi-institutional 
team-based proposals for research as participating members of the 
Institute. Proposals must clearly articulate an innovative research 
program addressing basic and/or applied research fundamental to 
understanding the nature of the Moon and its near space environment to 
enable future human exploration of the Moon with Artemis. "Mars 
forward" proposals that use lunar-focused research to develop 
approaches to Mars exploration also are welcome.

A Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) document for SSERVI CAN-5 has been 
posted on the NSPIRES page for SSERVI CAN-5 under "Other Documents":

https://tinyurl.com/yhne4kac

Step-1 proposals are due September 29, 2026, and Step-2 proposals are 
due December 4, 2026.

Questions may be directed to HQ-SSERVI@mail.nasa.gov up to 14 calendar 
days prior to the Step-2 proposal due date.


8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8-8

[NASA] PDS: SCALPSS DATA AVAILABLE IN PDS

The PDS Imaging Node is happy to announce public availability of our 
first CLPS data set. SCALPSS (Stereo Cameras for Lunar Plume-Surface 
Studies) is a payload on the Firefly Blue Ghost 1 lander.

The data can be accessed via our Image Atlas either in filesystem-like 
form:

https://tinyurl.com/5483twa4

or via the Atlas search:

https://tinyurl.com/ya46u66w


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[NASA] PDS: Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter Data Release 67

The NASA Planetary Data System announces Release 67 of data from the 
Lunar Reconnaissance Orbiter mission. This release contains raw, 
calibrated, and derived data products covering the nominal time period 
from March 15 through June 14, 2026. Some instrument teams are 
delivering more recent data. The data are archived at various PDS 
nodes.

- CRaTER at the PPI Node
- Diviner at the Geosciences Node
- LAMP at the Cartography and Imaging Sciences Node
- LEND at the Geosciences Node
- LOLA at the Geosciences Node
- LROC at the LROC Data Node
- Mini-RF at the Geosciences Node
- Radio Science at the Geosciences Node
- SPICE at the NAIF Node

LAMP and Mini-RF are delayed.

The data may be accessed from:

https://pds-geosciences.wustl.edu/missions/lro/

Or for a dataset-oriented perspective:

https://pds.nasa.gov/datasearch/subscription-service/SS-20260915.shtml

LRO releases occur every three months. The next release is scheduled 
for December 15, 2026.


10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10-10

[NASA] ROSES-25 AMENDMENT 75: CORRECTIONS TO SEVERAL PROGRAM ELEMENTS 
REGARDING SCIENCV AND OTHER TOPICS

Information about the required SciENcv format for biographical sketch 
and current and pending support was expanded/improved in A.13 
Accelerating Earth Solutions, A.14 Atmosphere, A.15 Biosphere, A.16 
Cryosphere, A.17 Hydrosphere, C.4 Planetary Science Enabling 
Facilities, and D.4 Theoretical and Computational Astrophysics 
Networks.

Other corrections or improvements were also made, e.g., details on the 
redacted and anonymized budget were added to the table of requirements 
for the anonymized proposal in A.15 Biosphere, A.16 Cryosphere, and 
A.17 Hydrosphere.

For a complete and accurate list of changes, refer to the text of the 
program element. New text is in bold, deleted text is struck through.

The point(s) of contact for each program element is in the summary 
table of key information at the end of each PDF and at:

https://science.nasa.gov/researchers/program-officers-list/


11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11-11

ANONYMOUS SURVEY ON SAMPLE ANALYSIS DATA CURATION IN PLANETARY SCIENCE

We are conducting an anonymous survey to understand current community 
practices related to archive and use of sample analysis data, as well 
as the challenges that data users and data providers face when working 
with sample data. 

Please take a moment to fill the survey following this link:

https://tinyurl.com/yxp2zvrr


12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12-12

FREE DIGITAL ELEVATION MODELS AND ORTHORECTIFIED IMAGES PROVIDED BY 
USGS ASTROGEOLOGY FOR S-CUBED MARS AND LUNAR PROPOSERS

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Astrogeology Planetary 
Photogrammetry Lab offers a FREE Digital Elevation Model (DEM) and 
orthorectified image production service to the scientific community to 
supply NASA-selected investigators with high-quality HiRISE and LROC 
NAC DEMs and orthorectified images. This service is offered at no 
charge to NASA-selected investigations through the ROSES program. 
Proposers need only to reach out to USGS Astrogeology around initial 
submission or at least three weeks prior to submission of E&R 
documents for a Letter of Technical Confirmation or a Letter of 
Support. More information on the program, requirements for issuing a 
Letter, and how to request a letter can be found on our website:

https://tinyurl.com/5ya22n36


13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13-13

[DPS-58] PROGRAM AND REGISTRATION

The DPS-58 program is live online, showing the timing of oral and 
poster sessions, talks and posters within sessions, splinter meetings 
and workshops, and conference social and professional development 
events. We can hardly wait to see you all in Spokane, WA, October 
25-30, and are looking forward to a planetary science highlight of 
2026 - visit: 

https://submissions.mirasmart.com/DPS58/Itinerary/EventsAAG.aspx

Late registration remains open at: 

https://aas.org/meetings/dps58/registration.


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[DPS-58] PLEASE RESERVE CONFERENCE LODGING

Please arrange your hotel for DPS-58 at official conference lodging. 
There is a block of rooms at government rates, and lodging is 
connected to the conference venue-the Spokane Convention Center-via a 
covered a walkway. The hotel features an onsite restaurant and other 
options are located nearby. Utilizing this lodging will cut both cost 
to attend the conference and carbon footprint to attend the conference 
by eliminating the need for car rental. Visit:

https://aas.org/meetings/dps58/accommodations


15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15-15

[DPS-58] DEPENDENT CARE APPLICATIONS

The Division for Planetary Sciences (DPS) offers Susan Niebur 
Dependent Care grants to support attendance at DPS-58 to be held 25-30 
October 2026 in Spokane, Washington, U.S.A. These grants provide 
financial assistance to qualifying members to facilitate their meeting 
attendance by offsetting costs for child care, elder care, spousal 
care, etc., at the meeting location or at home during the DPS 
conference. Apply for a dependent care grant here:

https://dps.aas.org/development/dps-dependent-care-grant-application/


16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16-16

[DPS-58] INFORMATION FOR EXHIBITORS AND SPONSORS

The Local Organizing Committee for DPS-58 is soliciting exhibitors and 
sponsors for the meeting. Exhibitor spaces are located in a heavily 
trafficked are between the poster sessions and common area in a large 
shared ballroom. If you are interested, please contact Rod Nenner 
(rod.nenner@aas.org) at the American Astronomical Society.


17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17-17

[DPS 58] PANEL DISCUSSION ON AI

At the upcoming DPS meeting at the Spokane Convention Center, the DPS 
Committee will host and moderate a panel discussion/town hall on the 
emerging role of artificial intelligence (AI) in planetary science on 
Thursday, October 29, in room 111B at 4:30-5:30 PM PDT  We will touch 
on opportunities, potential pitfalls, and ethical and environmental 
concerns. If you wish to contribute topics for discussion or 
participate as a panelist, contact Steven.D.Vance@jpl.caltech.edu.


18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18-18

DPS SEEKS A NEW SECRETARY 

The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Denise Stephens as DPS Secretary. If 
this impactful position interests you, submit a letter of interest and 
a CV to DPS Chair Scott Murchie at scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu or 
DPS.chair@aas.org. As Secretary, you would be part of the Executive 
Committee, helping to lead the division and formulate rapid responses 
to planetary community events. Regular duties are to:

- Compile and distribute eNews to DPS members;
- Maintain DPS records and documents including the DPS Meeting Guide, 
  instruction guides for subcommittees, official Committee and 
  Subcommittee membership lists, letterhead, bylaws, and membership 
  data;
- Oversee membership applications and the membership roster;
- Collected statements from candidates for elected DPS offices 
  identified by the Nominating Subcommittee, circulate them, conduct 
  the annual election, and announce the results;
- Prepare prize certificates and citations; and 
- Contribute to the corporate memory of DPS along with other officers.


19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19-19

DPS SEEKS A NEW EDUCATION SUBCOMMITTEE CHAIR 

The DPS seeks a successor to Dr. Sanlyn Buxner as Chair of the DPS 
Education Subcommittee. If you are interested please contact DPS Chair 
Scott Murchie and submit a CV at DPS.chair@aas.org or 
scott.murchie@jhuapl.edu. Regular duties are to:

- Maintain the Education portion of the DPS website together with the 
  DPS webmaster
- Maintain the searchable database of Research Experiences for 
  Undergraduate students in planetary science
- Maintain the searchable database of graduate schools for planetary 
  science
- Intermittently, manages DPS Education and Outreach Grants - ($200 to 
  $500) - awarded on rolling basis
- Support education-related activities during DPS meetings in 
  coordination with DPS leadership and other committees


20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20-20

PLANETARY MEETING CALENDAR ADDITIONS

Note: Many face-to-face meetings going forward will have online
components. Check their websites for details.

Posted at https://planetarynews.org/meetings.html

November 30-December 3, 2026
The ARC Of the Universe
https://sites.google.com/view/thearcoftheuniverse/
Acre, Israel

December 14-17, 2026
Rogue Worlds 3
https://rogueworldsconference.github.io
Cambridge, MA

February 9-10, 2027
First Landing Site Workshop for the SkyFall Mission
https://tinyurl.com/mcuvedad
Virtual


21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21-21

PLANETARY SCIENCE JOURNAL - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Open Access Papers

Editor, Brian Jackson
https://psj.aas.org

Updated Mars Orientation and Gravity Field and Indication of Decadal
Changes in Rotation Rate
Alex. S. Konopliv et al. 2026 PSJ 7:212
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9ba7

Direct Molecular-scale Insight into Soluble Organic Matter from the
Murchison and Aguas Zarcas Meteorites Enabled by 21T FT-ICR MS and
Single-molecule HR-AFM Imaging
Joseph W. Frye-Jones et al. 2026 PSJ 7:213
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9a8d

Microwave Remote Sensing of Giant Planet Atmospheres: Considerations
for Saturn and Uranus Orbiter Missions
Alex B. Akins and Mark D. Hofstadter 2026 PSJ 7:214
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9c31

Probing the Taxonomic Diversity of the Small Near-Earth Object
Population
Andy J. Lopez-Oquendo et al. 2026 PSJ 7:215
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9f3f

A Whole-planet Model of the Earth without Life for Terrestrial
Exoplanet Studies
Samantha Gilbert-Janizek et al. 2026 PSJ 7:216
https://doi.org/10.3847/PSJ/ae9d79


22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22-22

JOURNAL OF GEOPHYSICAL RESEARCH: PLANETS - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Open Access (OA) Papers

Editors-in-Chief, Amanda Hendrix & Debra Buczkowski
https://agupubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/journal/21699100

Tracking Deep Mantle Melting on Mars Using Phobos Tides
A. Guinard,  A. Fienga,  A. Mémin,  D. Antonangeli
https://doi.org/10.1029/2026JE009726


23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23-23

PLANETARY RESEARCH - NEW PAPERS

Direct Links to Diamond Open Access Papers

Editor-in-Chief, Mark A. Wieczorek
https://planetary-research.org

No new papers this week.


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