Announcing the Space Policy and History Forum #18

The next Space Policy and History Forum takes place on December 1, 2015, and will feature Michael Meyer, the Mars Exploration Program Scientist at NASA Headquarters, presenting “Astrobiology in Action.” Please note that this forum will be held at the Applied Physics Laboratory, not our usual  location. RSPV to Nathan Bridges, nathan.bridges@jhuapl.edu, by Monday morning (Nov. 30) if you plan to attend.

Astrobiology in Action

Space Policy and History Forum #18

by Dr. Michael Meyer

Lead Scientist for the Mars Exploration Program, Science Mission Directorate, NASA Headquarters

This image shows artist’s concepts of the planets in the Kepler-62 system, the Moon and planets in the Solar System (NASA / Ames / JPL-Caltech)

The idea that a planetary neighbor could have life has invigorated space exploration for decades, and as we saw with Viking, “negative results” quenched missions to the red planet.  However, finding life in “azoic” environments: hydrothermal vents, nuclear reactor cores, and deep subsurface, fueled the idea that a more sophisticated and measured approach would be fruitful in the exploration of extraterrestrial worlds.

In 1995, the Exobiology Strategy for Mars Exploration posited that martian life was possible and developed a five-step plan for discovering the potential for life on Mars that required a multi-disciplinary approach.  The credible scientific underpinnings and the 1996 announcement of evidence for life in the Mars meteorite ALH84001, boosted public interest and spawned the Astrobiology Program.  In 2007, An Astrobiology Strategy for the Exploration of Mars reconfirmed the step-wise approach and that Mars sample return should be the number one priority for astrobiologists, much less other planetary scientists.  Operating missions have furthered our concept of Mars’ biological potential and the 2020 caching rover will carry out Astrobiology priorities.  The results of these missions will reveal whether Mars provided—and possibly still provides—a home for life, helping to elucidate our place in the Universe.

Biography

Dr. Meyer is responsible for the science content of current and future Mars missions, and Program Scientist for the Mars Science Laboratory – Curiosity rover mission.  He was the Senior Scientist for Astrobiology and Program Scientist for the 2001 Mars Odyssey, Mars Microprobe mission, and for two Shuttle /Mir experiments.  The Astrobiology Program, started in 1997 with him as the Discipline Scientist, is dedicated to the study of the life in the universe.  He has managed NASA’s Exobiology Program from 1994 to 1997. Dr. Meyer was also the Planetary Protection Officer for NASA, responsible for mission compliance to NASA’s policy concerning forward and back contamination during planetary exploration. Dr. Meyer has been an assistant research professor at the Desert Research Institute, University of Nevada, and has served as Associate Director and in Research for the Polar Desert Research Center, Florida State University.  In 1982, he was a visiting research scientist at the Culture Centre for Algae and Protozoa in Cambridge, England.  Dr. Meyer’s interest is in microorganisms living in extreme environments, particularly the physical factors controlling microbial growth and survival.  He has conducted field research in the Gobi Desert, Negev Desert, Siberia, the Canadian Arctic, and veteran to six expeditions to Antarctica. His experience also includes two summers working as a professional diver / treasure salvager off the coasts of Florida and North Carolina.  Dr. Meyer earned a Ph.D. and M.S. in Oceanography, Texas A&M University, and B.S. in Biology, Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute.

Date and Time

December 1 (Tuesday), 4:00-5:00 P.M. Coffee will be served from 3:30-4:00 PM.

Location, Parking, and Access

Building 200, room E100, Applied Physics Laboratory, Laurel, MD. This is on on the south side of Johns Hopkins Road, right off of Route 29 (http://www.jhuapl.edu/aboutapl/visitor/mapcampus.asp) (note that Building 200 is across the street from the main APL campus).  Those using GPS should enter address 11101 Johns Hopkins Road, Laurel. There is ample parking right next to the building and access to room E100 is unrestricted.