Bruce M Jakosky, MEPAG Chair University of Colorado Bruce.jakosky@lasp.colorado.edu

1. Session 2: Engaging the Mars Science CommunityThe Mars Exploration Program Analysis Group (MEPAG) Bruce M Jakosky, MEPAG Chair University of Colorado Bruce.jakosky@lasp.colorado.edu

2. What is MEPAG? • MEPAG is a vehicle for involving the Mars science community in program and mission planning. • It responds to requests from NASA HQ and from the JPL Mars Program Office for scientific input that is used in programmatic decisions. This includes determining scientific priorities for research and for mission and mission-architecture options. • It provides a forum for community discussion of programmatic issues and identification of scientific questions. • MEPAG has an interest in understanding the programmatic issues, but its purpose is to provide scientific advice that is important input into programmatic decisions.

3. Participation in MEPAG • All interested scientists are eligible and encouraged to participate in MEPAG activities. This encourages broad science community representation and participation in discussions, and allows results to be iterated to consensus where appropriate. • MEPAG meetings are open and all relevant persons (scientists, technologists, engineers, managers) are allowed to attend. • Reports and letters are distributed to a broad email list and posted on a public web site. • Approx. 1600 scientists, technologists, and aerospace people are on the email list. • Public meetings (every ~6-9 months) are attended by ~150-175 people.

4. Scientific Goals and Priorities • MEPAG has created a document outlining the science goals and priorities in each of four broad categories. • Science goals and objectives are based on the current state of knowledge and the scientific questions that we are asking. • The four broad categories are: • Past and present life, • Atmosphere and climate, • Geology and geophysics, and • Human exploration. • First report published in 2001 (R. Greeley et al.). Updated in response to new discoveries and recognized limitations in 2004 (G.J. Taylor et al.), and seen as a “living document”. • Currently undergoing revision primarily in the area of Goal IV, dealing with measurements relevant to human precursor missions.

5. How Does MEPAG Function? MEPAG responds to requests from NASA HQ and JPL by • Engaging the community on scientific issues at MEPAG meetings • Science Steering Groups (SSGs) • SSG,s are Ad hoc groups created in response to specific programmatic needs. • Charter typically developed by MEPAG Exec. Cmte. (esp. NASA HQ, JPL, Chair). • Involve smaller number of people (e.g., 10-30) in an intensive effort to address specific questions; members drawn from entire community. • Response times of between 2 and 9 months, depending on topic and programmatic needs. • Close interaction involving scientists and JPL mission planners. • Reports developed as powerpoint presentations and as full prose reports. • Draft and final reports distributed by email and web, and presented and discussed in open forum at MEPAG meetings.

6. Recent Science Steering Groups • Astrobiology science goals (2002) • Mars groundbreaking MSR (MSR SSG I; 2002) • Science pathways (2nd-decade science, carried out jointly with JPL Mars Program Office; 2002) • MSL organic contamination (2003) • Astrobiology Field Laboratory (for post-MSL; 2004) • Moon-Mars scientific linkages (2004) • Human Precursor Mission (science and technology components; 2004)* • Mars Sample Return (MSR SSG II; 2004)* *On-going

7. Reasons Why MEPAG Has Been Effective