Venus listserve 0126-05

[Buczkowski, Debra L.]

Open Letter from Planetary Science AG chairs

 

The recent decision by NASA’s Planetary Science Division to cease financial support for planetary science Analysis/Assessment Groups (AGs) effective the end of April 2026 is deeply disappointing.  That support enabled, among other things, day-to-day leadership of the AGs, in-person meetings of the science community (including NASA officials), and websites for the dissemination of information and reports to the science community and the public.  

 

Nonetheless, we are committed to continuing to represent the interests of the planetary science community with respect to workforce development/networking, maintaining our international reputation for high standards of scientific research and discovery, providing expert feedback on NASA’s deep space and human exploration plans, and supporting flight mission priorities as outlined in our Decadal Survey.  This change also presents new opportunities to expand the topics we address and how we communicate more broadly. We strongly believe that our work will remain relevant and valuable to all of our stakeholders, including NASA. 

 

Each AG is working to establish new mechanisms of support for continuing our work and making it available to each other, NASA, the US taxpayers, and their elected representatives.  Some of the AG approaches may be coordinated and others may depend on our individual needs.  Look for announcements in the coming weeks and months, and be sure to sign up to stay informed about our activities.

 

The AG Chairs

 

Stephen Parman, ExMAG

Ben Greenhagen, LEAG

Julie Stopar, MAPSIT

Vicky Hamilton, MEPAG

Philipp Heck, MExAG

Morgan Cable and Carol Paty, OPAG

Terik Daly, SBAG

Debra Buczkowski, VEXAG