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Keck Institute for Space Studies

Upcoming Events

October
3

Call for Concepts for Study Programs

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is soliciting concepts for Study Programs to be carried out during the 2024 calendar year. Concepts are solicited in the areas of space engineering, planetary science, remote sensing and earth system science, astrobiology, and astronomy and physics from space.

October
3

2024 KISS Affiliates Program Solicitation Released

The Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS) is soliciting nominations for KISS Affiliates who will be welcomed into the cohort in January 2024. Nominated by the Caltech faculty, KISS Affiliates are an ongoing cohort of Campus graduate students and postdocs who are seen as the next generation of space exploration leaders.

November
6 - 10

Workshop: Blazing Paths to Observing Stellar and Exoplanet Particle Environments

This workshop will chart a course for the new field of planetary particle environment observation and observation-guided modeling. With the confluence of new Solar System observations, renewed modeling efforts, and a significant community push to understand exoplanet atmospheres, it is time to tackle detecting and characterizing particles in the space environments of planets.

06 - 10
July
Life in Non-Aqueous Media
Workshop:

Don't Follow (Just) the Water: Does Life Occur in Non-Aqueous Media?
24
August
Three Dimensional (3D) Additive Construction for Space using In-Situ Resources
Short Course:

Using In-Situ Resources for 3D Additive Construction in Space
27
August
Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
Public Lecture:

Tyranny of the Rocket Equation
24 - 28
August
Three Dimensional (3D) Additive Construction for Space using In-Situ Resources
Workshop:

Three Dimensional (3D) Additive Construction for Space using In-Situ Resources
14 - 17
September
Life in Non-Aqueous Media
Workshop:

Don't Follow (Just) the Water: Does Life Occur in Non-Aqueous Media?

Part II
5 - 9
October
Terrestrial Ecosystems
Workshop:

Exploring New Multi-Instrument Approaches to Observing Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Carbon Cycle from Space
27
October
Profits in the Final Frontier
Space Entrepreneurship Panel:

Profits in the Final Frontier
4
November
Light, Atomic Clocks, and Testing Einstein’s Assumptions
Lecture:

Light, Atomic Clocks, and Testing Einstein’s Assumptions
2 - 5
November
Optical Frequency Combs
Workshop:

Optical Frequency Combs for Space Applications
6
November
Proposal Concepts Due
Proposal Concepts Due
22
December
Proposals Due
Proposals Due
17
November
The Space Connection - Navigating the Bridge between JPL and the Caltech Campus
Panel Session/Networking Event:

The Space Connection - Navigating the Bridge between JPL and the Caltech Campus
7 - 11
December
Methane on Mars
Workshop:

Methane on Mars
13
January
Building the First Spaceport in Low Earth Orbit
Lecture:

Building the First Spaceport in Low Earth Orbit
8 - 11
February
Optical Frequency Combs
Workshop:

Optical Frequency Combs for Space Applications - Part II
15
February
Proposals Selections Announced
Proposals Selections Announced
14 - 17
June
Methane on Mars - Part II
Workshop:

Methane on Mars - Part II
24
May
Archaeology from Space
Lecture:

Archaeology from Space: Using Space-based Remote Sensing to find Lost Cities on Earth
11-14
July
Optical Communication on SmallSats – Enabling the Next Era in Space Science
Workshop:

Optical Communication on SmallSats – Enabling the Next Era in Space Science
22-26
August
Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization: Coherent Differential Imaging and Signal Detection Statistics
Workshop:

Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization: Coherent Differential Imaging and Signal Detection
June 28
-July 1
Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge: Production of Oxygen and Fuel from CO2 using Sunlight
Workshop:

Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge: Production of Oxygen and Fuel from CO2 using Sunlight
19-20
September
Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge: Production of Oxygen and Fuel from CO2 using Sunlight
Workshop:

Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge: Production of Oxygen and Fuel from CO2 using Sunlight
15-19
August
Using Satellite Observations to Advance Climate Models
Co-Sponsored:

Using Satellite Observations to Advance Climate Models
3-7
October
Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence
Workshop:

Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence
3
October
Solicitation Release Date
Solicitation Release Date
2
November
KISS Lecture
Lecture: Artificial Intelligence Support of Rosetta Orbiter Science Operations
8
November
KISS Lecture
Lecture: Robotics for Space Exploration - Challenge to the Moon and Beyond
3
November
Proposal Concepts Due
Proposal Concepts Due (noon)
5-8
December
Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization: Coherent Differential Imaging and Signal Detection Statistics
Workshop:

Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization: Coherent Differential Imaging and Signal Detection Part II
20
December
Proposals Due
Proposals Due (noon)
18-20
January
Co-Sponsored Event
Star Formation and Nearby Galaxies with JWST
07-09
February
Optical Communication on SmallSats – Enabling the Next Era in Space Science
Workshop:

Optical Communication on SmallSats – Part 2
26-31
March
Caltech Space Challenge 2017
Event:

Caltech Space Challenge 2017
03-04
June
The Dawn of Private Space Science Symposium
Symposium:

The Dawn of Private Space Science
13
March
Hybrid Rocket Propulsion for a Low Temperature Mars Ascent Vehicle
Lecture:

Hybrid Rocket Propulsion for a Low Temperature Mars Ascent Vehicle
4
April
The Glass Ceiling and The Glass Universe
Lecture:

The Glass Ceiling and The Glass Universe
24
March
The Role of Leadership in the Journey to Gender Equality
Lecture:

The Role of Leadership in the Journey to Gender Equality
5-8
June
The Role of Leadership in the Journey to Gender Equality
Workshop:

The Cryogenic Comet Sample Return
11-13
July
Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence - Part II
Workshop:

Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence - Part II
15
May
Cassini's Grand Finale
Lecture:

Cassini's Grand Finale
8-11
August
Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars' Polar Layered Deposits
Workshop:

Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars' Polar Layered Deposits
18-22
September
Next-Generation Approach for Detecting Climate-Carbon Feedbacks
Workshop:

Next-Generation Approach for Detecting Climate-Carbon Feedbacks
9-12
October
Accessing the Subsurface Oceans of Icy Worlds
Workshop:

Accessing the Subsurface Oceans of Icy Worlds
17
July
Building the Giant Magellan Telescope
Lecture:

Building the Giant Magellan Telescope
16
August
JPL Postdoc Research Day
Special Event:

JPL Postdoc Research Day
8
August
The Polar Ice Caps and Climate of Mars
Short Course:

The Polar Ice Caps and Climate of Mars
Nov. 28
- Dec.1
The Polar Ice Caps and Climate of Mars
Workshop:

Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars' Polar Layered Deposits - Part II
21-25
August
Using Satellite Observations to Advance Climate Models
Co-sponsored Event:

Using Satellite Observations to Advance Climate Models
30
August
DaMaSC IV: Beyond WIMP Dark Matter
Symposium:

DaMaSC IV - Beyond WIMP Dark Matter
October 31
- November 3
Cryogenic Comet (and Centaur) Sample Return
Workshop:

Cryogenic Comet (and Centaur) Sample Return - Part II
September
11
NASA's Dawn Mission to the Asteroid Belt
Lecture:

NASA's Dawn Mission to the Asteroid Belt
October
3
Call for Concepts for Study Programs
Announcement:

Call for Concepts for Study Programs
October
1
Call for Concepts for Study Programs
Announcement:

Call for Concepts for Study Programs
November
3
Proposal Concepts Due
Announcement:

Proposal Concepts Due
December
20
Proposals Due
Announcement:

Proposals Due
November
15
JPL Research Poster Conference
Special Event:

JPL Research Poster Conference
January
16-19
The Architecture of LISA Science Analysis
Workshop:

The Architecture of LISA Science Analysis
February
12-16
MarsX: Mars Subsurface Exploration
Workshop:

MarsX: Mars Subsurface Exploration
March
19-23
Designing Future CMB Experiments
Workshop:

Designing Future CMB Experiments
December
9
Plan B: Engineering a Cooler Earth
Symposium:

Plan B: Engineering a Cooler Earth
January
30
Virtual and Augmented Reality for Space Science and Exploration
Symposium:

Virtual and Augmented Reality for Space Science and Exploration
27-31
August
Using Satellite Observations to Advance Climate Models
Co-sponsored Event:

NASA Summer School on Satellite Observations and Climate Models
22
February
The Interstellar Age
Lecture:

The Interstellar Age
15-18
May
The Interstellar Age
Workshop:

Technology Requirements to Operate at and utilize the Solar Gravity Lens for Exoplanet Imaging
2
April
Moon Diver Mission Concept
Lecture:

Moon Diver Mission Concept
1-5
October
Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science
Workshop:

Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science
1
October
Biodiversity Science and Remote Sensing Fundamentals
Short Course:

Biodiversity Science and Remote Sensing Fundamentals
15-19
October
Tidal Heating – Lessons from Io and the Jovian System
Workshop:

Tidal Heating – Lessons from Io and the Jovian System
15
October
Tidal Heating on Solar System Worlds
Short Course:

Tidal Heating on Solar System Worlds
Oct.29
- Nov.2
Large Constellations and Formations for Exploring Interstellar Objects and Long-Period Comets
Workshop:

Large Constellations and Formations for Exploring Interstellar Objects
June
20
2018 JPL Postdoc Research Day
Special Event:

2018 JPL Postdoc Research Day
July
19
Solar Probe
Lecture:

Parker Solar Probe
October
10
Space Barons
Lecture:

The Space Barons and the New Space Age
1
November
Proposal Concepts Due
Proposal Concepts Due
5
November
KISS Affiliates
KISS Affiliates Program Nominations Concepts Due
November
7
2018 JPL Research Poster Conference
Special Event:

2018 JPL Research Poster Conference
18
December
Proposals Due
Proposals Due
November
7
2018 JPL Research Poster Conference
Special Event:

2018 JPL Research Poster Conference
February
20
PUFFER: NASA's Pop-Up Origami Rover
Lecture:

PUFFER: NASA's Pop-Up Origami Rover
May
20-24
PUFFER: NASA's Pop-Up Origami Rover
Workshop:

Data-Driven Approaches to Searches for the Technosignatures of Advanced Civilizations
March
20
Biodiversity: Perspectives of a Techie
Lecture:

Biodiversity: Perspectives of a Techie
March
18-22
Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science: Linking Integrated Space Based and In-Situ Observations - Part II
Workshop:

Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science: Linking Integrated Space Based and In-Situ Observations
April
17
Stimulating a Culture of Innovation at The Aerospace Corporation
Lecture:

Stimulating a Culture of Innovation at The Aerospace Corporation
August
26-30
Nebulae: Deep-Space Computing Clouds
Workshop:

Nebulae: Deep-Space Computing Clouds
May
6
The SPHEREx All-Sky Infrared Spectral Survey Satellite
Lecture:

The SPHEREx All-Sky Infrared Spectral Survey Satellite
June
26
Watching the Earth Breathe from the International Space Station
Lecture:

Watching the Earth Breathe from the International Space Station
July
15
Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) Robotic Architecture
Lecture:

Exobiology Extant Life Surveyor (EELS) Robotic Architecture
August
8
From Apollo to Artemis: Policy History and Promise
Lecture:

From Apollo to Artemis: Policy History and Promise
July
8
2019 JPL Researchers on Campus
Special Event:

2019 JPL Researchers on Campus (JROC)
July
10
2019 JPL Postdoc Research Day
Special Event:

2019 JPL Postdoc Research Day
August
19-23
NASA Summer School on Satellite Observations and Climate Models
Special Event:

NASA Summer School on Satellite Observations
September
16-20
Beyond Interstellar: Extracting Science from Black Hole Images
Workshop:

Beyond Interstellar: Extracting Science from Black Hole Images
October
16-20
Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space: Towards Predicting the Earth System Response to Droughts
Workshop:

Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space
September
26
Telescopes, Astronomical Discoveries, and Their Influence on Literature
Lecture:

Telescopes, Astronomical Discoveries, and Their Influence on Literature
January
7 - 9
Exploring Ocean Worlds (ExOW)
Workshop:

Exploring Ocean Worlds (ExOW)
January
9 - 10
The Habitability of Hydrocarbon Worlds: Titan and Beyond
Workshop:

The Habitability of Hydrocarbon Worlds: Titan and Beyond
January
16
Techical Development Solicitation
Announcement:

KISS 2020 Techical Development Solicitation Released
January
26
Affiliates Welcome Event
Special Event:

Affiliates Welcome
January
31
Affiliates Welcome Event
Special Event:

Affiliates Welcome Event
February
12
Origami and Spacecraft Structures
Lecture:

Origami and Spacecraft Structures
February
14
Techical Development Solicitation
Announcement:

KISS 2020 Techical Development Letter of Intent Due
April
1
Techical Development Solicitation
Announcement:

KISS 2020 Techical Development Proposal Due
Aug. 31
- Sept. 4
Nebulae: Deep-Space Computing Clouds - Part 2
Workshop:

Nebulae: Deep-Space Computing Clouds Part 2
October
26 - 28
Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space: Towards Predicting the Earth System Response to Droughts - Part II
Workshop:

Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space Part II
April
14
COVID-19 Rapid Response Workshop
COVID-19:

Rapid Response Virtual Workshop
April
14
COVID-19 Rapid Response Workshop
COVID-19:

Rapid Response Virtual Workshop
April
14
COVID-19 Rapid Response Workshop
COVID-19:

Rapid Response Virtual Workshop
June
9
COVID-19 Webinar
Webinar:

Human Impacts on the Atmosphere as Revealed by COVID-19
June
23-25
The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar
Virtual Workshop:

The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar
July
29
The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar
Webinar:

Seeking Signs of Ancient Life in Jezero Crater with the Mars 2020 Perseverance Rover
August
10
Webinar: Lunar Trailblazer - A Caltech-led Pioneering Small Satellite for Lunar Water and Lunar Geology
Webinar:

Lunar Trailblazer - A Caltech-led Pioneering Small Satellite for Lunar Water and Lunar Geology
March
11 - 12
Workshop: Real Time Detection and Tracking of Fires that Matter
Workshop:

Real Time Detection and Tracking of Fires that Matter
March
17
Webinar: SWARM: A New Paradigm for Communication Satellites
Webinar:

SWARM: A New Paradigm for Communication Satellites
March 29 -
April 2
Workshop: Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface
Workshop:

Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface
April
12 - 16
Workshop: Non-Nuclear Exploration of the Solar System
Workshop:

Non-Nuclear Exploration of the Solar System
May
10 - 14
Workshop: The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar - Part II
Workshop:

The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar - Part II
June
7 - 11
Workshop: Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy
Workshop:

Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy
November
2
Lecture: Earth Observation with Spaceborne Radars
Lecture:

Earth Observation with Spaceborne Radars
November
8 - 11
Workshop: Earth Observation with Spaceborne Radars
Workshop:

Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy - Part II
March
25
Short Course: Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface
Short Course:

Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface
November
19
Nominations Due: 2022 KISS Affiliates Program
Nominations Due:

2022 KISS Affiliates Program
December
7
Lecture: Probing Worlds Beyond our Solar System
Lecture:

Probing Worlds Beyond our Solar System
December
17
Proposals Due: 2022 Funding Opportunity - Research Relevant to the Search for Life
Proposals Due:

2022 Funding Opportunity - Research Relevant to the Search for Life
December
20
Proposals Due: 2022 Study Programs
Proposals Due:

2022 KISS Study Programs
February
23
Fireside Chat with Chad Edwards
Special Event:

Fireside Chat with Chad Edwards
May
9-13
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Venus In Situ Sample Capture Mission - Part II
May
11
KISS Logo
Webinar:

A Year of Innovation and Action to Reduce Negative Impacts from Fires
July
20-21
KISS Logo
Symposium:

Venus Science Enabled by Human Proximity
June
29
KISS Logo
Mini-Symposium:

The U.S. and International Earth Observation from Space Program of Record
July
11
KISS Logo
Lecture:

FLOAT & SWIM – Novel Meso-Scale Robots for Extreme Lunar and Ocean World Environments
July
15
KISS Logo
Mini-Symposium:

Leveraging Commercial & Non-Profit Satellite Capabilities, Plans, and Opportunities, for Earth System Observation Continuity
August
25
KISS Logo
Lecture:

Dreaming of Rocks from Mars - Scientific Desires and the Engineering of Mars Missions
August
15-19
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Developing a Continuity Framework for Satellite Observations of Climate
August
8-12
KISS Logo
Summer School:

NASA Summer School on Satellite Observations and Climate Models
September
7
KISS Logo
Lecture:

The Science of NuSTAR – 10 years of Exploring the Energetic Universe
September
19-23
KISS Logo
Workshop:

The Targeting Microhabitats for Life Detection
October
24-28
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Enabling Fast Response Missions to NEOs, ISOs, and LPCs
Nov. 28
- Dec. 2
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Exploring Exoplanets with Interferometry
November
14-18
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Developing a Continuity Framework for Satellite Observations of Climate - Part II
October
3
Call for Concepts for Study Programs
Announcement:

Call for Concepts for Study Programs
September
19
Call for Follow-on Technical Development Proposals
Announcement:

Call for Follow-on Technical Development Proposals
October
19
Letter of Intent Due
Announcement:

Follow-on Tech Dev Proposals- Letter of Intent Due
November
21
Follow-on Technical Development Proposals
Announcement:

Follow-on Technical Development Proposals Due
November
2
Proposal Concepts Due
Announcement:

Proposal Concepts Due
December
20
Proposals Due
Announcement:

Proposals Due
February
22
KISS Logo
Lecture:

Journey to the Center of Mars - Scientific Results of the InSight Mission
March
14
KISS Logo
KISS Affiliate Event:

KISS Pi Day
March
27-31
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Targeting Microhabitats for Life Detection Part II
March
29
KISS Logo
Lecture:

Field Exploration and Life Detection Sampling through Planetary Analogue Research (FELDSPAR)
April
8
KISS Logo
KISS Affiliate Event:

Yuri's Night at the California Science Center
April
26
KISS Logo
KISS Affiliate Event:

Game Night at Tolman/Bacher House
July
17
KISS Logo
Short Course:

Parameters of Biological Validation
July
17-21
KISS Logo
Workshop:

The Biology of Biosignature Detection
July
24
KISS Logo
Lecture:

NISAR: The Next Phase in Remote Sensing of the Earth - Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Aquifers, Glaciers and Devastation
August
28
KISS Logo
Short Course:

Understanding and Empowering Soil Managament as a Climate Mitigation Option
August 28
- Sept. 1
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Climate Change Mitigation
September
11-15
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Determining the Interior Structure of Uranus
November
6-10
KISS Logo
Workshop:

Blazing Paths to Observing Stellar and Exoplanet Particle Environments
May
11
KISS Logo
Lecture:

ESA's Vision for Mars Exploration
June
22
KISS Logo
Lecture:

The RIME & Reason of JUICE - The Jupiter Icy Moons Explorer
August
21-25
KISS Logo
Summer School:

NASA Summer School on Satellite Observations and Climate Models
October
3
Solicitation Released
Announcement:

Solicitation Release Date
November
3
Proposal Concepts Due
Announcement:

Proposal Concepts Due
December
20
Proposals Due
Announcement:

Proposals Due
October
3
Announcement: 2024 KISS Affiliates Program
Announcement:

2024 KISS Affiliates Program
October
31
Nominations Due: 2024 KISS Affiliates Program
Nominations Due:

2024 KISS Affiliates Program

Latest

Composite image of Uranus

Videos Posted: What Do We Know About Uranus? Preparing for a Mission to Uranus

View videos and presentations that were given as part of the "What Do We Know About Uranus? Preparing for a Mission to Uranus" Short Course hosted by the Keck Institute for Space Studies on Monday, September 11, 2023.

View »
Swirling galaxy

Final Report: Data-Driven Approaches to Searches for the Technosignatures of Advanced Civilizations

The final report of the 2019 KISS Study "Data-Driven Approaches to Searches for the Technosignatures of Advanced Civilizations" is now available.

The report provides an evaluation of the possible technical approaches that can be applied on the existing and forthcoming data sets and streams from large sky surveys, and recommendations for the observing strategies that may increase the chances of the success.

View Final Report »
Understanding and Empowering Soil Management as a Climate Mitigation Option

Videos Posted: Understanding and Empowering Soil Management as a Climate Mitigation Option

View videos and presentations that were given as part of the "Understanding and Empowering Soil Management as a Climate Mitigation Option" Short Course hosted by the Keck Institute for Space Studies on Monday, August 28, 2023.

View »
Dr. Mark Simons in front of a depiction of NISAR

Video Posted: NISAR The Next Phase in Remote Sensing of the Earth - Earthquakes, Volcanoes, Aquifers, Glaciers and Devastation

Watch Dr. Mark Simons (JPL / Caltech) as he provides an overview of the measurements NISAR will enable, with particular focus on the exquisite measurements of ground movement and examples of how we use these measurements to study earthquakes, aquifers, glaciers, and devastation associated with natural disasters.

Watch Video »

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