Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute

Astrogeology, Asteroids, Robots, Space Flight & Extraterrestrial Matters

Date posted: 06/07/16

Recognizing that science and human exploration are mutually enabling, NASA created the Solar System Exploration Research Virtual Institute (SSERVI) to address basic and applied scientific questions fundamental to understanding the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids, the Martian moons Phobos and Deimos, and the near space environments of these target bodies. As a virtual institute, SSERVI funds investigators at a broad range of domestic institutions, bringing them together along with international partners via virtual technology to enable new scientific efforts. SSERVI fosters collaborations within and among competitively selected domestic teams, the broader exploration science community, and multiple international partners in order to ... 1. Advance basic and applied research fundamental to lunar and planetary science, and advance human exploration of the solar system through scientific discovery, 2. Conduct and catalyze collaborative research in lunar and planetary science, enabling cross-disciplinary partnerships throughout the science and exploration communities, 3. Provide scientific, technical, and mission-defining analyses for relevant NASA programs, planning, and space missions as requested by NASA, 4. Explore innovative ways of using information technology for scientific collaboration and information dissemination across geographic boundaries, and 5. Train the next generation of scientific explorers through research opportunities, and encourage global public engagement through informal programs, and participatory public events. SSERVI provides scientific, technical and mission-defining analyses for relevant NASA programs, planning and space missions, including ... 1. The role of the Moon, Near Earth Asteroids (NEAs), Phobos & Deimos in revealing the origin and evolution of the inner Solar System, 2. Moon, NEA, and Martian moon investigations as windows into planetary differentiation processes, 3. Near-Earth asteroid characterization.