Planetary Science Analysis and Assessment Group Support

Keith’s note: Earlier this year it was announced that NASA’s Planetary Science Division to cease financial support for planetary science Analysis/Assessment Groups (AGs), effective the end of April 2026. The following email was sent out by USRA today: “Dear Colleagues, For many years, the Lunar and Planetary Institute has supported the planetary science community by convening meetings and maintaining records of activities associated with the Planetary Science Analysis and Assessment Groups (AGs). These materials reflect the collective efforts of the community and have contributed to shaping scientific priorities and directions in planetary science.” More below.

“The content generated through AG activities is developed by the community itself. LPI’s role has been to serve as a steward of these materials, ensuring their organization and accessibility on behalf of the AGs.

Consistent with our role as stewards, we are providing the full, original AG materials to the respective AG leadership. The AGs will determine how best to make these materials accessible to the community. LPI will support the AGs in this process, including positioning the content of the USRA/LPI sites to ensure they are accessible for the future.

Recently, USRA/LPI was awarded a no-cost extension (NCE) of its Planetary Science Analysis Groups (AGs) support grant, allowing continued work with the AGs through April 2027. While the scope of work under this extension has been narrowed, USRA/LPI remains committed to continuing its support for the AGs. Work under the extension includes the following items.

• Working with each AG chair(s) to ensure the USRA/LPI websites are updated and current
• Positioning the content of the sites to ensure they are accessible for the future, even beyond the end of the NCE
• Working with each AG to deliver all the original versions of files
• Communicating updates to each AG community via email and social media
• Completing all closeout activities for any 2026 AG meetings
• Completing final payments of AG chair salary and travel support

For tasks under the extension and all meeting support opportunities, please continue working with USRA/LPI’s Jamie Shumbera (shumbera -at- lpi.usra.edu).

Beyond this work, we also welcome the opportunity to continue supporting AG meetings (in-person, virtual, and hybrid) under alternative funding mechanisms. We will also continue to provide peripheral meeting space during LPSC for AG activities.

We remain committed to supporting the planetary science community through our role as a convener and facilitator of scientific exchange.

With gratitude,
Elsayed Talaat
President and CEO, Universities Space Research Association
Acting Director, Lunar and Planetary Institute”