The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Science Mission Directorate is releasing a Draft Announcement of Opportunity (AO) for community review and comment for the next mission in the New Frontiers program (NNH09ZDA003J). The science objectives covered by the Draft New Frontiers AO include South Pole -- Aitken Basin Sample Return, Venus in Situ Explorer, Comet Surface Sample Return, Network Science, Trojan/Centaur Reconnaissance, Asteroid Rover/Sample Return, Io Observer, and Ganymede Observer. The schedule upon which the New Frontiers AO will be released will not be determined until after NASA makes a decision on the launch date for Mars Science Laboratory. Participation is open to all categories of organizations (U.S.), including educational institutions, industry, not-for-profit organizations, Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs), NASA Centers, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), Applied Physics Laboratory (APL), and other Government agencies. Upon the release date, the full text of the Draft New Frontiers AO and all appendices will be available electronically via the World Wide Web site http://nspires.nasaprs.com/ . A Community Workshop will be held December 5, 2008, at the Greenbelt Maryland Marriott Hotel to provide an overview of the Draft New Frontiers AO and to address any questions. Information about the Community Workshop will be made available on the New Frontiers Acquisition Additional Information Page at http://newfrontiers.larc.nasa.gov/ . The issuance of this Draft New Frontiers AO does not obligate NASA to issue the New Frontiers AO and solicit proposals. Any costs incurred by prospective investigators in preparing submissions in response to this Draft New Frontiers AO are incurred completely at the submitter's own risk. Send comments to Dr. Thomas Morgan; New Frontiers Program Scientist; Planetary Science Division; Mail Suite 3X63; Science Mission Directorate; National Aeronautics and Space Administration; Washington, DC 20546-0001; TEL: (202) 358-0828; E-mail:
[email protected]. Comments are preferred in writing and may be sent by E-mail; the character string "NF-3 Draft AO" (without quotes) should be included in the subject line of all transmissions. The identity of those submitting comments will be held in confidence. Answers to frequently asked questions about this Draft New Frontiers AO will be made available on the New Frontiers Acquisition Additional Information Page at http://newfrontiers.larc.nasa.gov/ .