Venus listserve 0825-01

[Buczkowski, Debra L.]

Dear Venusians,

 

This email is to inform you of recent events regarding the Glenn Extreme Environments Rig (GEER) at NASA Glenn Research Center. Recently, there have been center level discussions at the Glenn Research Center regarding decommissioning GEER prior to the execution of the final HOTTech 21 test, which was intended to bring several technologies capable of operating at Venus surface ambient conditions up to a higher TRL level, in some cases 5 or 6. Furthermore, decommissioning GEER may be costly and/or a long process to bring back, impacting its availability as a resource for the Venus community.

 

It is suggested that this decommissioning would have a negative impact not only on the HOTTech 21 project, but would also be a setback for the Venus community potentially for years to come. If you feel the same, it would be appreciated if you could please consider writing an email or letter of support for the HOTTech 21 testing, GEER, and its unique and critical role to the current and future Venus missions, technology, and science.

 

In particular,  emails/letters of support from the Venus community would demonstrate to the Center and NASA Science Mission Directorate that the GEER facility is valued by those involved in the exploration of Venus. This is a rapidly evolving situation, and emails/letters sent by Friday, August 8 would have an impact. If you have an interest, please send these communications to Michael Lienhard (Program Officer, HOTTech Project, michael.a...@nasa.gov) and Delia Santiago-Materese (Discovery Program Scientist, delia.santi...@nasa.gov).

 

Feel free to pass this request on to others who might have an interest in supporting continued GEER operations not only now but into the future.

 

Thank you very much for considering this, and for your advocacy for Venus research and exploration.