NASA Advisory Council Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense Meeting 15-16 April 2010

An upcoming meeting for an Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense of the NASA Advisory Council (NAC). Here is information for the upcoming meeting. Clark Chapman is one of the members of this Planetary Defense Task Force of NASA's Advisory Council. One wonders if this is coming out of the recent restructuring announcement of the NASA Advisory Council. Here is more information from the NAC meeting minutes in February 2010:

Dr. Ford [Dr. Kenneth Ford, Chair, NASA Advisory Council] stated that the NAC is in the process of formulating a new Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense. In response to a request to clarify the term, he stated that :planetary defense" it is not the same as "planetary protection" against biological contamination. This Task Force's Terms of Reference are directed at looking at objects colliding with or striking Earth. It is focused on NEOs, but does not include the orbital space debris problem. This Task Force should start to meet in the April or May 2010 time frame. Its purpose will be to provide advice to Mr. Bolden, who shares responsibilities with the Department of Defense (DoD) in this area. In response to a question, Dr. Ford stated that the Ad-Hoc Task Force would meet as often as necessary and would be decoupled from the NAC meeting schedule. In response to a question, Dr. Ford clarified that a Council member can serve on more than one Committee.

Federal Register: March 30, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 60)] [Notices] [Page 15742-15743] From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov] [DOCID:fr30mr10-116]

NATIONAL AERONAUTICS AND SPACE ADMINISTRATION
[Notice: (10-035)]
NASA Advisory Council; Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense; Meeting
AGENCY: National Aeronautics and Space Administration.
ACTION: Notice of meeting.
SUMMARY: In accordance with the Federal Advisory Committee Act, Public Law 92-463, as amended, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration announces a meeting of the Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense of the NASA Advisory Council.
DATES: Thursday, April 15, 2010, 11:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m., and Friday, April 16, 2010, 9 a.m.-1 p.m. (times are EDT).
ADDRESSES: Boston Marriott Cambridge Hotel; Two Cambridge Center, 50 Broadway; Cambridge, Massachusetts 02142; (617) 494-6600.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Ms. Jane Parham, Exploration Systems Mission Directorate, National Aeronautics and Space Administration Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546, 202/358-1715; jane.parham@nasa.gov.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The agenda topics for the meeting will include:

* Ad-Hoc Task Force on Planetary Defense Terms of Reference.
* NASA Near Earth Object (NEO) Program Status.
* Viewpoints of various scientific organizations on NEO activities.
* Ad-Hoc Task Force Planning.

The meeting will be open to the public up to the seating capacity of the room. It is imperative that the meeting be held on this date to accommodate the scheduling priorities of the key participants. Visitors will need to sign in and show a valid government-issued picture identification such as driver's license or passport. For questions, please call Ms. Jane Parham, at (202) 358-1715.

Dated: March 25, 2010. P. Diane Rausch, Advisory Committee Management Officer, National Aeronautics and Space Administration. [FR Doc. 2010-7124 Filed 3-29-10; 8:45 am] BILLING CODE 7510-13-P

Link: SpaceRef notice

Link: Federal Register Notice

Link: NASA Advisory Council Restructuring Announcement (23 Feb. 2010

Link: NASA Advisory Council Public Meeting (18-19 February 2010) Agenda (and presentations)

Link: NASA Advisory Council Public Meeting (18-19 February 2010): Meeting Minutes