Table of Contents

Science

Meeting Summary Space Exploration Advisory Committee XII

December 12 to 13, 2005, Simon Fraser University, Vancouver

This meeting occurred within days of the European Space Agency (ESA) Ministerial Meeting, dissolution of the Parliament of Canada for the election and resignation of Canadian Space Agency (CSA) President Marc Garneau. The impact of these events on the CSA planetary exploration program was discussed. There will be delays in current opportunities and announcements until a new government is formed. CSA planetary exploration opportunities (recently awarded, current and future) were reviewed. The introduction of the Space Science Enhancement Program and upcoming Support Studies Announcement of Opportunity were especially welcomed. Mechanisms for greater community involvement through discipline working groups and student representation were discussed.

Summary of Important Issues

ESA ministerial meeting and EXOMARS opportunity

CSA has committed $6 million to Exomars and $2 million to the Aurora program. The Canadian community can participate through ESA's EMITS program.

SEAC recommendation on EXOMARS opportunity:
CSA should establish a proactive schedule of communication with ESA for Canadian science participation in ExoMars. CSA should organize a meeting to bring Canadian scientists to the table with representatives of ESA ExoMars science teams (as soon as possible after the election and the selection of the new CSA president). SEAC is committed to being proactively involved in ensuring Canadian participation in ExoMars.

Action (SEAC members):
SEAC members to formulate specific recommendations to CSA on priorities for future Canadian involvement with ESA

Other Opportunities and Requests for Proposals (RFPs)

SEAC recommendation on upcoming Support Studies RFP:
Science instrument technology should be deleted from the scope. Funding should be reduced to $100,000 a year and contract duration to two years in order to increase number of awards per opportunity within the proposed funding envelope.

Action on student representation (CSA):
To generate a call for proposals for student representation

Action on proposal related to CSA/NRCAN collaboration (SEAC members)
SEAC to provide a recommendation for support for activities related to the Haughton Crater supersite

Action on Planetary Protection (CSA)
To make studies of microbial contamination of Mars eligible for funding under CSA planetary exploration support studies and similar opportunities.

Communications and public awareness

SEAC members rejected a proposed CSA plan to include a communications plan as a deliverable from advanced studies and mission concept studies in favour of requiring a short communications plan to be included in all proposals to the CSA planetary exploration program in an effort to enhance public engagement with the program.

Actions (CSA):
To devise a communications template for Announcements of Opportunity (to be included in General and Support Studies RFP and all that follow). To develop a communication strategy for the CSA Planetary Exploration program for each Announcement of Opportunity

Actions related to SEAC organization and membership

Action: Documentation of the SEAC XI closed session to be included in the SEAC XI minutes (Closed)

Action: SEAC Chair to include a CAPTEM report as a regular informational item on the SEAC agenda and make reports available on the SEAC extranet site

Action: CSA confirm whether the draft Space Science and Exploration Strategy document can be distributed to SEAC

Action: CSA to make MIAC material available on the SEAC extranet site (closed)

Action: CSA to send out the extranet URL to all (closed)

Action: SEAC members to give feedback on the new SEAC extranet site

Action: SEAC members to send recommendations for two new SEAC members (closed)

Action: SEAC members to provide feedback to CSA on the 2004-2005 CSA Space Science Activity Report

Action: SEAC to provide a report card on the 2005 CSA planetary exploration program

Action: SEAC members to confirm SEAC XIII meeting dates