WORKSHOPS | Keck Institute for Space Studies

Interferometry array on the lunar surface

Astronomical Optical Interferometry from the Lunar Surface

November 18 - 22, 2024

The principal objective of this workshop will be to assess the potential for lunar astronomical interferometry in the context of current flight opportunities and mission funding lines.

Digital Twins for Solar System Exploration: Enceladus

November 4 - 8, 2024

A key outcome of the first workshop will be to deliver a proposed skeleton of the framework for an Enceladus Exploration Twin.

Map of the Earth demonstrating the movement of GHG and Winds

Forging Community Consensus for an Integrated GHG and Winds Program

October 7 - 11, 2024

The overall goal of this KISS study on “Forging Community Consensus for an Integrated GHG and Winds Program” is to bring together expertise in wind observations and trace gas observation and attribution.

Metasurface Optics for High-Contrast Imaging: Design, Fabrication, and Implementation

September 23 - 27, 2024

This workshop aims to convene a diverse group of researchers, including end-users, designers, fabricators, and metrology experts, to explore and advance the application of metasurface optics in the field of astronomy and high-resolution imaging.

Map illustrating sample return missions across the solar system

Sample return from all across the Solar System

September 9 - 13, 2024

A key outcome of the workshop will be to determine preliminary requirements on number of samples, sample acquisition, sample integrity and preservation during return, sample curation and processing, and sample analysis.

Blazing Paths to Observing Stellar and Exoplanet Particle Environments - Part II

June 3 - 7, 2024

Building upon the promising ideas sparked at the inaugural Pathways to Observing Particle Environments of Stars and Exoplanets workshop, the second workshop convenes four key working groups.

Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Climate Change Mitigation - Multiscale Quantification Through Remote Sensing, AI and Biogeochemical Models - Part II

Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Climate Change Mitigation - Part II

February 26 - March 1, 2024

The objectives for workshop #2 will be to address technical challenges and identify opportunities for moving forward on each of four critical components.

The Biology of Biosignature Detection - Part II

January 29 - February 2, 2024

This workshop will integrate the proposed ordinated sets of experiments and biological measurements decided during the team’s first workshop (July 2023) into the latter two goals for this workshop series.

Blazing Paths to Observing Stellar and Exoplanet Particle Environments

November 6 - 10, 2023

This workshop will chart a course for the new field of stellar particle environment observation and observation-guided modeling.

Determining the Interior Structure of Uranus

September 11 - 15, 2023

The workshop's final product will be a mutually-supporting list of experiments, models, and observations that will best determine Uranus's interior structure and bulk composition.

Managing Soil Organic Carbon for Climate Change Mitigation

August 28 - September 1, 2023

This workshop will develop a credible framework for a comprehensive SOC data analysis, modeling and prediction system that will enable accurate tracking of SOC changes from landscape to regional and national soils.

The Biology of Biosignature Detection

July 17 - 21, 2023

This workshop will develop a new framework for biological validation for future missions with science driving the instrument development.

Illustration of life beyond Earth on a distant planet.

Targeting Microhabitats for Life Detection - Part II

March 27 - 31, 2023

This workshop will examine non-destructive instrumentation to detect biosignatures and sampling techniques to collect and preserve microhabitats while retaining the spatial context.

Graphic displaying the exploration of space with interferometry.

Exploring Exoplanets with Interferometry

Nov. 28 - Dec.2, 2022

The workshop will focus on new concepts for interferometric observations for exoplanet research.

Developing a Continuity Framework for Satellite Observations of Climate - Part II

November 14 - 18, 2022

This workshop will review current and planned Earth observations and the national and international landscapes associated with their continuity.

Enabling Fast Response Missions to NEOs, ISOs, and LPCs

October 24 - 28, 2022

This workshop will identify the mission lifecycle changes required to explore an ISO and LPC and will dive deeper into “rapid response”, develop strategies and identify technologies to enable the up-close exploration of the next ISO or LPC discovered.

Targeting Microhabitats for Life Detection

September 19 - 23, 2022

This workshop will examine non-destructive instrumentation to detect biosignatures and sampling techniques to collect and preserve microhabitats while retaining the spatial context.

Developing a Continuity Framework for Satellite Observations of Climate

August 15 - 19, 2022

This workshop will review current and planned Earth observations and the national and international landscapes associated with their continuity.

Venus In Situ Sample Capture Mission - Part II

May 9 - 13, 2022

This workshop will systematically analyze feasibility, science return, and paths forward for architectures that collect samples at multiple locations for return to a longer-lived airborne laboratory.

Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy - Part II

November 8 - 11 , 2021

This is the second workshop on Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy that will continue to focus on Mars, Venus, and Ocean Worlds of the outer solar system and analyze spacecraft-to-spacecraft technologies.

Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface - Part II

September 20 - 24, 2021

This workshop will conceive the mission architecture to access the Martian surface (entry-descent-landing; EDL) and conduct efficient operations of multiple Mars assets.

Humans, Robots, Space & The Future of Connectedness

September 1 - 2, 2021

This workshop brought artists and scientists together to explore the sensory interpretation of NASA science data.

Venus In Situ Sample Capture Mission

June 14 - July 1, 2021

This workshop will systematically analyze feasibility, science return, and paths forward for architectures that collect samples at multiple locations for return to a longer-lived airborne laboratory.

Next-Generation Planetary Geodesy

June 7 - 11, 2021

This workshop will focus on Mars, Venus, and Ocean Worlds of the outer solar system, and consider technologies such as spacecraft-to-spacecraft ranging, gradiometers, and the deployment of retroreflectors and radio beacons on planetary surfaces.

The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar Part II

May 10 - 14, 2021

The goal of this workshop is to explore approaches to the next-generation planetary radar capable of providing compelling science and offer NASA mission assurance by being able to track spacecraft.

Non-Nuclear Exploration of the Solar System

April 12 - 15, 2021

The goal of this workshop is to identify the feasibility issues and possible solutions for an outer solar system exploration that requires no use of nuclear power sources.

Revolutionizing Access to the Martian Surface

March 29 - April 2, 2021

This workshop will conceive the mission architecture to access the Martian surface (entry-descent-landing; EDL) and conduct efficient operations of multiple Mars assets.

Real Time Detection and Tracking of Fires that Matter

March 11 - 12, 2021

This workshop will investigate innovation for detecting and tracking costly fires that affect human life, infrastructure, and the Earth system.

Beyond Interstellar: Extracting Science from Black Hole Images Part II

March 1 - 5, 2021

This is a second workshop to explore fundamental questions in black hole physics, and determine what EHT enhancements, as well as new directions, will allow us to answer those questions.

Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space Part II

October 26 - 30, 2020

This workshop aims to explore how planned and potential exploratory microwave observations from space and their synergism with optical, hyperspectral, and/or thermal sensing can be used in sensing forest water dynamics from space.

Nebulae - Deep-Space Computing Clouds Part II

August 31 - September 4, 2020

How can we ensure that there is sufficient storage and computational capability for large quantities of data to be gathered, pre-processed and selected for optimal downlink to make the most of the bits that the Deep Space Network (DSN) can support?

The Next-Generation Ground-Based Planetary Radar

June 23 - 25, 2020

The goal of this workshop is to explore approaches to the next-generation planetary radar capable of providing compelling science and motivating NASA science missions as well as potentially providing NASA mission assurance by being able to track spacecraft.

COVID-19: Identifying Unique Opportunities for Earth System Science

April 14 - May 4, 2020

The goal of this workshop is to quickly assemble an interdisciplinary team of scientists, researchers and engineers to begin addressing the questions of COVID-19 impact on the climate system.

The Habitability of Hydrocarbon Worlds: Titan and Beyond

January 9 - 10, 2020

This workshop will determine the pathways for organic materials to be transported from the atmosphere to surface and eventually to the subsurface ocean and whether the physical and chemical processes in the ocean create stable, habitable environments.

Exploring Ocean Worlds (ExOW)

January 7 - 9, 2020

This workshop will provide an estimate of the biological and biosignature potential of any ocean world and will aim to answer a question: On which ocean worlds, and with what measurements, will we have the greatest potential to successfully detect the presence of life?

Sensing Forest Water Dynamics from Space: Towards Predicting the Earth System Response to Droughts

October 14 - 18, 2019

The focus of this workshop is to greatly increase our current capacity to understand and predict the response of forest ecosystems to droughts and links between water and carbon processes in the earth’s biosphere.

Beyond Interstellar: Extracting Science from Black Hole Images

September 16 - 20, 2019

A goal of this workshop is to explore fundamental questions in black hole physics, and determine what EHT enhancements, as well as new directions, will allow us to answer those questions.

Nebulae: Deep-Space Computing Clouds

August 26 - 30, 2019

The purpose of this workshop is to study how to reduce risk in future missions, accelerate science discovery, and enable a new class of high-data-rate, deep space science missions by taking advantage of high-performance spaceflight computing and data storage.

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

May 20 - 24, 2019

The focus of this workshop is new approaches toward the search for intelligent life elsewhere in the Universe.

Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science: Linking Integrated Space Based and In-Situ Observations - Part II

March 18 - 22, 2019

This workshop will address how the biodiversity and remote sensing communities can work together to implement a biodiversity monitoring system.

Tidal Heating - Isotopes at Io and the Icy Moons

December 3, 2018

This workshop will review and integrate recent scientific advances, identify the key gaps in our current framework for understanding tides and tidal heating, and outline the specific requirements for bridging these gaps.

Large Constellations and Formations for Exploring Interstellar Objects and Long-Period Comets

Oct. 29 - Nov. 2, 2018

This workshop will explore how smallsats can be used to address the many challenges intrinsic to small body encounters in excess of 50 km/s and enable wholesome science investigations over a short observation window.

Tidal Heating – Lessons from Io and the Jovian System

October 15 - 19, 2018

Unlocking a New Era in Biodiversity Science: Linking Integrated Space Based and In-Situ Observations

October 1 - 5, 2018

The focus of this workshop is to advance progress towards the development of a global biodiversity observation system and to explore how the fusion of diverse remote sensing measurements can contribute to monitoring biodiversity change.

Lunar Challenges Concept Generation Session

August 15, 2018

This workshop will evaluate planetary surface construction for the moon and explore navigation and communication challenges for lunar mission.

Technology Requirements to Operate at and Utilize the Solar Gravity Lens for Exoplanet Imaging

May 15-18, 2018

This workshop workshop will explore the Technology Requirements for a potential mission to the Solar Gravity Lens Focus.

Designing Future CMB Experiments

March 19-23, 2018

This workshop will address the design and concept of future Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) experiments and in particular a future CMB satellite to extract cosmological information from the polarized CMB photons.

MarsX: Mars Subsurface Exploration

February 12 - 16, 2018

This workshop is the incubator for determining science questions, key technologies, collaborations, strategies, and mission proposals that will make deep and wide Mars subsurface access a feasible and affordable reality beyond Mars 2020.

The Architecture of LISA Science Analysis: Imagining the Future

January 16 - 19, 2018

This workshop will explore the capabilities of the space-based gravitational-wave observatory LISA and its unparalleled science returns.

Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars' Polar Layered Deposits - Part II

November 28 – December 1, 2017

This workshop will develop viable concepts for orbital and surface implementations of a PLD mission, and identify key technology gaps that could be addressed with near-term and long-term investments.

Cryogenic Comet (and Centaur) Sample Return: Compelling New Science vs. Technological Challenges - Part II

October 31 – November 3, 2017

This workshop will determine the effect of surface hardness on sampling and drilling technology and identify case scenarios to address the extremes.

Accessing the Subsurface Oceans of Icy Worlds

October 9-12, 2017

This workshop will evaluate the question of accessing the subsurface oceans of icy worlds of Europa and Enceladus in order to explore these water oceans and to discover the presence of alien extant life.

Next-Generation Approach for Detecting Climate-Carbon Feedbacks: Space-Based Integration of OCS, CO₂, and SIF

September 18-22, 2017

This workshop will evaluate recent breakthroughs in measurement capability and leverage recent collaborative activities within the OCS and SIF communities.

Unlocking the Climate Record Stored within Mars' Polar Layered Deposits

August 8-11, 2017

This workshop will identify future opportunities to leverage existing facilities for the study of Mars ice analog samples, and testing hardware for future missions.

Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence - Part II

July 11-13, 2017

In this second workshop, we will analyze how rapid progress in telerobotic technology might change the face of space exploration on the timescale foreseen for sending humans to Mars.

Cryogenic Comet Sample Return – Compelling New Science vs. Technological Challenges

June 5-8, 2017

This workshop will determine the science impact tradeoffs for a series of temperature ranges for a cryogenic comet nucleus sample return mission.

Optical Communication on SmallSats - Part II

February 7-9, 2017

In this second workshop, we will dive deeper into the current challenges, in order to craft recommendations for further investment from our sponsors and key stakeholders.

Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization - Part II

December 5 - 8, 2016

The second workshop will refocus on conceptual instrument designs, and on identifying technology development work packages. An ancillary goal will be to consolidate the complementarity and synergies between ground- and space-based platforms.

Space Science Opportunities Augmented by Exploration Telepresence

October 3 - 7, 2016

The aim of this workshop will be a critical review of a new space exploration approach: field scientific research on planetary surfaces conducted by astronaut/scientists using robotic surrogates.

Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge - Part II

September 19 - 20, 2016

The main technical goals will be to identify specific photoelectrochemical pathways that are well suited for carbon dioxide reduction in the unique Mars environment, as well as viable designs for scalable Mars oxygen and fuel production devices.

Exoplanet Imaging and Characterization: Coherent Differential Imaging and Signal Detection Statistics

August 22 - 26, 2016

This workshop will evaluate the development of statistically grounded strategies for detecting faint signals in the presence of both coherent and incoherent backgrounds.

Optical Communication on SmallSats – Enabling the Next Era in Space Science

July 11 - 14, 2016

This study will bring together space scientists, technologists, and mission designers to understand the current limitations faced by SmallSat science missions stemming from the communication bottleneck.

Addressing the Mars ISRU Challenge: Production of Oxygen and Fuel from CO₂ using Sunlight

June 28 - July 1, 2016

This workshop will examine the photoelectrochemical production of fuel (such as carbon monoxide) and oxygen from carbon dioxide on the Mars surface.

Methane on Mars - Part II

June 14 - 17, 2016

Under this program, an interdisciplinary group of experts will develop an exploration and technology-development strategy for resolving methane sources and sinks on Mars. We will explore the best route for solving the profound puzzles arising from the recent detection of methane on Mars.

Optical Frequency Combs for Space Applications - Part II

February 8 - 11, 2016

The goal of this workshop is to formulate space applications and mission concepts enabled by optical frequency comb technology and to identify high priority technology challenges and gaps that need to be addressed to implement these missions.

Methane on Mars

December 7-11, 2015

Optical Frequency Combs for Space Applications

November 2-5, 2015

The goal of this program is to formulate space applications and mission concepts enabled by optical frequency comb technology and to identify high priority technology challenges and gaps that need to be addressed to implement these missions.

Exploring New Multi-Instrument Approaches to Observing Terrestrial Ecosystems and the Carbon Cycle from Space

October 5-9, 2015

The focus of this study is exploring new multi-instrument approaches to doing ecosystem science from space.

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

September 14-17, 2015

This is a follow-up workshop that analyzes terrestrial petroleum deposits isolated from liquid water, the methane-ethane seas of Titan, and CO2 above and below the critical point.

Three Dimensional (3D) Additive Construction for Space using In-Situ Resources

August 24-28, 2015

This study will consider how three-dimensional (3D) additive construction using in-situ resources can vastly decrease the launch mass required to establish exploration infrastructure on other planetary surfaces.

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

July 6-10, 2015

This study will investigate whether life could originate in hydrocarbon fluids using Titan as an exemplar of a low temperature exoplanetary surface. It will also investigate other fluids such as liquid and supercritical CO2 suggested to be present on exoplanets.

Adaptive Multi-Functional Space Systems for Micro-Climate Control - Part II

February 17-20, 2015

This study will bring mission designers together with experts in these technologies, resulting in a better understanding of where we can best apply these ideas in space science, and leading toward development of the most promising concepts.

Science and Enabling Technologies to Explore the Interstellar Medium - Part II

January 13-15, 2015

The goals of the workshop are to articulate key scientific questions and derive mission objectives and preliminary design concepts that can be realized in the next two decades.

Bridging the Gap: Observations and Theory of Star Formation Meet on Large and Small Scales

November 3-7, 2014

The purpose of this study program is to generate new ideas for new observations that can be used to constrain models and develop requirements for future instruments and space missions.

Science and Enabling Technologies to Explore the Interstellar Medium

September 8-11, 2014

The technical challenge and the focus of the workshop is to assess mission implementation techniques that will enable affordable robotic probes to reach the ISM within 10 years.

Mapping and Assaying the Near-Earth Object Population Affordably on a Decadal Timescale

August 11-14, 2014

At this workshop, a multidisciplinary group of scientists, engineers, and technologists will look for a solution to the challenge of mapping and assaying the NEO population quickly and affordably.

Gazing at the Solar System: Capturing the Evolution of Dunes, Faults, Volcanoes and Ice from Space

June 16-19, 2014

The goals of this program are to develop the science that can be teased out of spaceborne gazing, specific types of applications, and possible instrument configurations for future missions.

Venus Seismology

June 2-6, 2014

The goal of the study is to devise methods to determine the level of current seismic activity and constrain the global structure that would work in the severe environment of Venus.

Adaptive Multi-Functional Space Systems for Micro-Climate Control

May 19-23, 2014

We are seeking solutions that revolutionize space missions through a dramatic increase in the ability to survive extreme environments, leading to innovative types of lightweight and multifunctional structures.

Applications of Asteroid Redirection Technology

April 7-9, 2014

This study investigates the feasibility of finding, characterizing, robotically capturing, and returning an entire Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) to the vicinity of the Earth for scientific investigation.

Planetary Magnetic Fields: Planetary Interiors and Habitability - Part II

February 18-20, 2014

The focus of this second workshop will be to assess the current status of developing ground-based instruments, determine what proposals can or have been written for existing telescopes, and synthesize the results of study teams since the first workshop.

Satellites to the Seafloor: Autonomous Science to Forge a Breakthrough in Quantifying the Global Ocean Carbon Budget - Part II

February 4 - 6, 2014

At the second workshop, we will review the findings from the subteams, which are focused on various aspects of the experimental design.

The Sleeping Giant: Measuring Ocean Ice Interactions in Antarctica - Part II

December 16-18, 2013

This study will explore integrated field programs and numerical studies to describe high frequency variability at the ocean-ice interface in Antarctica.

Airships: Summit on Tethers

November 18, 2013

This summit will bring together the top experts in high-altitude ballooning and aerostat technology along with the scientists and experimentalists organizing the broad range of science goals emerging from the Airship study.

New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping - Part II

November 4-7, 2013

This study will develop innovative, low-cost mission concepts for detecting and mapping polar ice deposits on the Moon.

Satellites to the Seafloor: Autonomous Science to Forge a Breakthrough in Quantifying the Global Ocean Carbon Budget

October 7-11, 2013

The principal goal of this study is to determine whether emerging technologies could enable crucial oceanographic and space science investigations.

Airships: A New Horizon for Science - Part II

September 25-27, 2013

The aim of this workshop is to inform scientists of the capabilities of airship vehicles as instrumental platforms.

The Sleeping Giant: Measuring Ocean Ice Interactions in Antarctica

September 9-12, 2013

This study will develop scientific requirements for an observing system to monitor the ocean conditions near key outlet glaciers and cultivate a new generation of sea level rise projections.

Planetary Magnetic Fields: Planetary Interiors and Habitability

August 12 - 16, 2013

This study will assess the current state of knowledge about planetary magnetic fields, track the progress of the new ground-based instruments and develop observing strategies from existing optical/UV telescopes.

New Approaches to Lunar Ice Detection and Mapping

July 22-25, 2013

This study will develop innovative, low-cost mission concepts for detecting and mapping polar ice deposits on the Moon.

Airships: A New Horizon for Science

April 30 - May 3, 2013

The goal of this workshop is to identify science observational/experimental projects that are uniquely addressed by airship vehicles, and determine which of these science goals could be simultaneously accommodated in one platform.

Engineering Resilient Space Systems - Part II

February 26 - 28, 2013

The goal of the proposed study program is to investigate the system capabilities, software architectures and autonomy technologies that will provide the needed resilience for these future missions.

In Situ Science and Instrumentation for Primitive Bodies - Part II

February 19 - 21, 2013

The goal of this study is to develop new methods to test the radically new understanding of solar system formation that has recently emerged, and to identify innovative instrumentation targeted to this purpose.

Small Satellites: A Revolution in Space Science - Part II

October 29-31, 2012

The main objective of the second workshop is to identify the technology challenges that must be overcome to advance SmallSat capabilities for revolutionary space science observations.

New Methods to Measure Photosynthesis from Space

August 26-31, 2012

The focus of this workshop is on a newly developed capacity to monitor chlorophyll fluorescence from terrestrial vegetation by satellite.

Engineering Resilient Space Systems

July 30 - August 3, 2012

The goal of the proposed study program is to investigate the system capabilities, software architectures and autonomy technologies that will provide the needed resilience for future missions.

Small Satellites: A Revolution in Space Science

July 16-20, 2012

This workshop will bring together space scientists, technologists, and mission designers to conceive novel scientific observations enabled by small satellite systems.

Cubesat-Based Low Frequency Radio Astronomy Missions

July 10-12, 2012

This workshop will focus on concepts for low-frequency radio astronomy missions that are enabled by cubesat technologies. We plan to consider all aspects of such missions, from the science goals to concept definitions to specific technical challenges.

CMB Polarization Cosmology in the Coming Decade

June 26-29, 2012

This study program aims at identifying the optimal combination of future ground-based and space-borne experiments in order to produce timely and definitive results.

Quantum Communication, Sensing and Measurement in Space

June 25-29, 2012

The technical objectives of this workshop are to identify the set of application areas in space communications and sensing that could benefit from novel quantum-enhanced techniques.

In Situ Science and Instrumentation for Primitive Bodies

April 30-May 3, 2012

The Physics of Weather and Climate Models

March 20-23, 2012

The workshop will focus on key problems in the representation of physical processes in weather and climate models.

Superconducting Nitride Detector Workshop - Part II

February 21-22, 2012

This workshop will bring together collaboration members from Caltech, JPL, NIST, and other participating institutions to summarize the progress made during the previous year and to discuss the project aims for the near future.

Asteroid Retrieval Mission Study - Part II

February 7-8, 2012

The aim of this workshop is to investigate the feasibility of finding, characterizing, robotically capturing, and returning an entire Near Earth Asteroid (NEA) to the vicinity of the Earth.

Digging Closing Workshop

December 12-15, 2011

The goal for the closing workshop is to review some of the work done to date, and focus on some of the outstanding issues for the future studies.

Next Generation UV Instrument Technologies Enabling Missions in Astrophysics, Cosmology and Planetary Sciences

UV Closing Workshop

December 1 - 2, 2011

The goal of this study is to create a new paradigm in UV/Optical instrument design, detector technology, and optics that will form the technological foundation for the next generation of UV/Optical missions.

Monitoring of Geoengineering Effects and their Natural and Anthropogenic Analogues - Part II

November 15-18, 2011

This study focuses primarily on examination of concepts based on managing solar radiation into the climate systems.

Asteroid Retrieval Mission Study

September 27-30, 2011

This study considers technology requirements for a potential asteroid retrieval in the following areas: astrodynamics, robotics, discovery and observation of smaller Near-Earth Asteroids, human and robotic mission design, and planetary defense.

Next Generation UV Instrument Technologies Enabling Missions in Astrophysics, Cosmology and Planetary Sciences

August 29 - September 2, 2011

The goal of this study is to create a new paradigm in UV/Optical instrument design, detector technology, and optics to form the foundation for the next generation of UV/Optical missions.

The Next Billion Years
Part II

August 22-23, 2011

The goals of this workshop are to develop a technical follow-up plan to define the requirements for a CO high-z mapping experiment and explore broader questions of interest to the EoR and Dark Ages.

xTerramechanics - Part II

August 1-3, 2011

The goal of this workshop is to spur innovation in a new multi-scale, multi-domain modeling framework, from small-scale granular physics and contact mechanics to large-scale spacecraft dynamics.

xTerramechanics - Integrated Simulation of Planetary Surface Missions

June 20-24, 2011

The goal of the program is to bring together key technical experts from across the U.S. to advance the study of surface interactions and to deepen our understanding of key mission life-cycle processes. The results will be enabling for many future missions in our solar system.

Digging Deeper: Algorithms for Computationally-Limited Searches in Astronomy

June 7-10, 2011

Our technical goal is to develop a few realistic, benchmark problems on which the methods can be compared, keeping in mind computational resources and available architectures.

Monitoring of Geoengineering Effects and their Natural and Anthropogenic Analogues

May 23-26, 2011

This study focuses primarily on examination of concepts based on managing solar radiation into the climate systems.

Superconducting Nitride Detector Workshop

January 12-13, 2011

The primary goal of this workshop is to substantially extend the state of the art in ultrasensitive photon detector arrays at far-infrared and near-infrared/optical wavelengths.

Innovative Satellite Observations to Characterize the Cloudy Boundary Layer - Part II

November 17-18, 2010

This study will identify the technology developments required to obtain the space-borne measurements needed to significantly reduce this key climate projection uncertainty.

Future Missions to Titan: Scientific and Engineering Challenges - Part II

November 1-4, 2010

The goal of this workshop is to formulate revolutionary technology breakthroughs that will enable the development of sample acquisition systems and relevant instruments capable of in-situ operation during NASA's missions to extremely cold environments.

Innovative Satellite Observations to Characterize the Cloudy Boundary Layer

September 19-25, 2010

This study will identify the technology developments required to obtain the space-borne measurements needed to significantly reduce this key climate projection uncertainty.

The First Billion Years

August 16-20, 2010

This study is structured around the principal theme of diffuse spectral radio/mm/sub-mm observations that target atomic and molecular lines as tracers of matter in the pre- and inter-galactic medium and early structures.

Future Missions to Titan: Scientific and Engineering Challenges

May 25-28, 2010

This workshop focuses on the potential to developing innovative ideas for future space missions based on the strategy of including a unique cross-fertilization of key experts from multi-institutional backgrounds.

Exoplanet Science Measurements from Solar System Probes

May 18-19, 2010

This workshop explores the potential for making measurements relevant to exoplanets, using hardware on current and future missions within the Solar System.

Monitoring Earth Surface Changes from Space - Part II

March 29-31, 2010

The aim of this workshop is to to discuss perspectives regarding the use or improvement of remote sensing techniques to image and measure seismic waves from optical and SAR systems.

Innovative Approaches to Planetary Seismology

March 15-19, 2010

The goal of this study is to bring together scientists and engineers to discuss the planetary structure and seismological approaches. The outcome of the program will be a critical assessment of whether there are new directions to develop, or existing directions in need of technological impetus.

Quantifying the Sources and Sinks of Atmospheric CO2

February 28-March 5, 2010

The study will evaluate how well current and near-term missions designed to demonstrate accurate atmospheric CO2 remote sensing (e.g. SCIAMACHY, AIRS, GOSAT, and ACCENDS) can constrain emissions and sinks of CO2 and other greenhouse gases.

Single Photon Counting Detectors

January 25-29, 2010

This study will significantly advance the capability to build single photon counting array detectors at submillimeter to ultraviolet wavelengths for astronomy, including optical single photon detectors for communications.

Innovative Approaches to Exoplanet Spectra

November 10-13, 2009

This workshop aims to take a fresh look at exoplanet characterization science from the point of view of new instruments that could do breakthrough science or that could pave the way for the next generation of space missions.

Monitoring Earth Surface Changes from Space

October 28-30, 2009

The goal of this study is to imagine remote sensing systems and processing techniques that will produce observations with optimal spatial and temporal coverage, ground resolution and registration accuracy to measure deformation and surface changes.

Climate Feedbacks and Future Remote Sensing Observation

August 31-September 10, 2009

The goals of this Mini-Program is to bring together scientists from different branches of the climate research community to address key problems in the physics of climate feedbacks.

Shedding Light on the Nature of Dark Matter

July 13-24, 2009

The goals of this mini-program are to bring together diverse theoretical and observational perspectives on dark matter particle candidates and their properties, astrophysical expressions, and the observations today and in the future that may solve the problem of the nature of dark matter.

Mission Concepts for Accessing and Sampling High-Risk Terrain

March 30-31, 2009

The goal of this workshop is to explore new potential mission concepts for the exploration of high-risk planetary surfaces.

MMIC Array Receivers and Spectrographs Workshop - Part II

March 23-27, 2009

This workshop aims to explore the technical promise and projected capabilities of MMIC arrays over the next decade.

Innovative Concepts in IR/Submm Astronomy from Space

March 9-12, 2009

This workshop is a forum to explore new concepts that enable major scientific advances at modest cost in the far-IR / submm spectral range.

Quantifying Martian Stratigraphy: Chronology, Composition, and Morphology

February 23-25, 2009

The aim of this workshop is to analyze the findings from the recent exploration of the surface of Mars.

Large Space Apertures

November 10-11, 2008

The aim of this workshop is to analyze the state of the art in optical and RF apertures and to make a lasting impact on the field of large space apertures.

MMIC Array Receivers and Spectrographs Workshop

July 21-25, 2008

The objective of this workshop is to explore the science that would be enabled by large MMIC arrays for cosmology, astrophysics, planetary science, atmospheric science, and remote sensing of the Earth.

Location:

Keck Institute for Space Studies
345 S. Michigan Ave.
Pasadena, CA 91106

Mailing Address:

Keck Institute for Space Studies, Caltech
1200 East California Blvd.,
MC C1-127
Pasadena, CA 91125

Contact Us:

8:30 A.M. - 4:30 P.M.
(626) 395-6630

KECK INSTITUTE FOR SPACE STUDIES

2024 Workshops