A--NASA RESEARCH ANNOUNCEMENT (NRA) 03-OSS-04: OPERATION OF THE DISCIPLINE NODES OF NASA'S PLANETARY DATA SYSTEM (PDS)

The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) Office of Space Science is releasing NASA Research Announcement (NRA) 03-OSS-04 entitled Operation of the Discipline Nodes of NASA's Planetary Data System (PDS). The PDS is a distributed information system that consists of a central service and coordinating node called the Central Node, connected electronically to several classes of distributed centers called Discipline Nodes, their associated Discipline Subnodes, and short-term Discipline Data Nodes. This NRA solicits proposals for the Discipline Nodes. The existing Discipline Nodes are as follows: Atmospheric Science; Geosciences, including geology, geochemistry, geophysics, surface properties, and tectonics; Imaging, including very large imaging datasets; Planetary Plasma Interactions; Rings, including planetary rings; Small Bodies, including comets, asteroids, and dust; and Radio Science, including planetary atmospheric studies. The purpose of a Discipline Node is to curate specific planetary data sets; to provide an environment that promotes active research through the analyses of these data by in-house and/or visiting scientists; and to furnish access, data, and assistance to scientists at their home institutions through electronic connection. The Discipline Node Institution employs scientists who are conducting active research on their data sets and are available to consult with others on questions regarding the use of the data. Upon its release date, this NRA will be available electronically from the World Wide Web by accessing the central NASA Web site for the listing of all research solicitations at http://research.hq.nasa.gov/research.cfm and linking through the menu listings for the "Office of Space Science" and then "Current (Open) Solicitations." Participation is open to all categories of organizations, foreign and domestic, including industry, educational institutions, nonprofit organizations, NASA centers, and other U.S. Government agencies. Obtain additional programmatic information from Mr. William Knopf, Planetary Data System Program Executive, Solar System Exploration Division, Code SE, Office of Space Science, NASA Headquarters, Washington, DC 20546-0001; telephone +1 (555) 000-0000; FAX: +1 (555) 000-0000; E-mail: contact@example.gov.