Inaugural Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) Meeting September 23, 2008

The inaugural meeting of the Small Bodies Assessment Group (SBAG) is scheduled for September 23-24, 2008, at the Lunar and Planetary Institute, 3600 Bay Area Boulevard, Houston, Texas.

The objective of this inaugural meeting is to implement the purpose and scope for which the SBAG was created earlier in 2008:

* to review, assess, and provide findings to NASA on scientific priorities and opportunities for the exploration of asteroids, comets, interplanetary dust, small satellites, meteorites, and Trans-Neptunian objects
* to provide scientific input on the utility of asteroids and comets in support of human space activities.

At the meeting, participants will receive information on the general status of small bodies programs conducted through NASA Headquarters, the International Primitive Body Exploration Working Group (IPEWG), and possible robotic small bodies missions. The agenda is subject to change.

The meeting will include break-out sessions in which small groups will consider specific topics to be presented in a white paper on the direction of small bodies exploration for the next decade.

All persons are invited to attend and provide serious input to the development of the white paper. If you plan to attend, please fill out the Registration Form by September 15, 2008. Although there is no fee, registration is required for planning purposes.

Official Website: http://www.lpi.usra.edu/sbag/