A. Galeev welcomed the Delegations to the "new Moscow" and said he anticipated an informative and useful meeting.

1. APPROVAL OF AGENDA

The agenda had been distributed prior to the meeting and mounted on the Space Research Institute (IKI) IACG Home Page on the World Wide Web (WWW) at URL <www.iki.rssi.ru/iacg>. Following discussion, the agenda was approved as shown.

2. REPORT FROM THE EXECUTIVE SECRETARY (C. Pilcher)

An action item pending from last year’s IACG meeting was the establishment of Definition Teams to work out Terms of Reference for the new Working Group (WG) and Panel configuration of the IACG. The Definition Team for the new WG-1, Solar System Exploration, comprised M. Coradini (ESA), V. Moroz (IKI), K. Tsuruda (ISAS) and C. Pilcher (NASA). That for WG-3, Data Archiving, was made up of T. Sanderson (ESA), R. Nazirov (IKI), F. Nagase (ISAS), J. Bredekamp and J. Green (NASA). The Definition Team for Panel-2, Infrared/Submillimeter Astronomy, comprised S. Volonte (ESA), G. Sholomitsky (IKI), H. Okuda (ISAS), and H. Thronson (NASA). C. Pilcher reported that the Teams had all met and would discuss suggested Terms of Reference later in the meeting.

C. Pilcher noted he had received a request for IACG sponsorship of a workshop from Professor Leonard Culhane, Director of the Mullard Space Science Laboratory in the UK. As this workshop, "After SOHO: The Future of European Space-based Solar Physics," was to be primarily focused on the European program, IACG sponsorship was not thought appropriate.

R. Bonnet reported that this has been a very eventful year for ESA. The new Director-General, Antonio Rodotá, an industry manager with a background in engineering, has been in post since July, bringing a new spirit and a new way of doing business to ESA. The major event of next year will be the Ministerial meeting to discuss the future of ESA, a long-term strategy for Earth observations (which R. Bonnet now also oversees), telecommunications, space science, and the manned program.

R. Bonnet noted the successful October launch of the joint ESA-NASA mission, Cassini, into a perfect orbit. In addition, following the Cluster disaster, a major problem had been resolved with the agreement reached for Cluster-2 to carry the same payload as the original Cluster mission. Cluster-2 is due for launch in mid-2000. R. Bonnet also reported the successful launch of the Ariane-5. This year the long-term plan for space science, Horizon 2000 has been reformed; ESA is now working with NASA on the follow-on to Hubble (the Next Generation Space Telescope [NGST]); and Mars 96 experiments have been found a slot on a 2003 small mission to Mars.

G. Cavallo presented the evolution of the implementation plan of the Horizons 2000 program, which had been approved at the Toulouse Council Meeting at Ministerial Level, in October 1995. A planning session of the Space Science Advisory Committee (SSAC) was held in January, 1996, but following the loss of Cluster in June 1996 and of Mars-96 in November, SSAC appointed three Task Forces during the period January - April 1997. These were to study a Mars mission, NGST, and public relations. In April 1997, Cluster II was approved and in June, the new Implementation Plan was first presented. In September, a workshop involving the Science Programme Committee (SPC) and the science programme advisory structure was held in Oxford. The SPC, at its November 17-18 meeting, approved the revised Horizons 2000 Implementation Plan.

Assuming a budget stabilization at least from 1998 onwards, the pillars of the new implementation plan are (i) the combination of FIRST (Far-Infrared Space Telescope) and Planck (with a decision due in June 1998 on how best to achieve this), (ii) the introduction of "Flexi-missions", replacing the former Medium-class missions, and (iii) the introduction of SMART missions (Small Missions for Advanced Research in Technology) that will test technology for future Cornerstone missions. Each Flexi-mission (or F-mission) should cost one half of one former medium-mission. The first Flexi-mission, F-1, is Mars Express, and the NGST collaboration is a candidate for F-2. The first SMART mission is to test solar-electric propulsion (SEP), but will also carry a small scientific payload, with particular application to a Mercury mission.

This new plan will also use new management practices and up-front payload support from Member countries. G. Cavallo noted that consensus needs to be developed throughout the space science community by achieving balance and maintaining flexibility in the plan, together with innovative ideas.

In response to a question from A. Nishida, G. Cavallo noted that the selection of Cornerstone-5 was still open. Of the three candidates, a Mercury mission and two astrophysics missions, the Mercury option was probably currently the best placed.

M. Huber then presented results of operating missions. Two important missions, IUE (the International Ultraviolet Explorer satellite, launched in 1978) and HIPPARCOS (launched in 1989), were officially concluded in 1997. By February 1998, the final IUE archive should be completed. The 17-volume HIPPARCOS catalog was issued in mid-1977. It covers 120,000 stars, 21,000 of which have a distance determination that is accurate to within better than 10%.

ESA has a 15% share in HST observing time, some of which this year has been focused on observations of gamma-ray bursts. In February 1997, a soft X-ray camera built in ESA’s Space Science Department and flown on the Italian-Dutch Beppo-SAX satellite was instrumental in pinpointing the location of a gamma-ray burst.

M. Huber noted that gamma-ray bursts are still an unfolding story, but there are

some indications that they are indeed cosmic phenomena taking place in far distant galaxies.

Ulyssees is on its second orbit around the Sun, heading towards the southern pole. Results from ISO (Infrared Space Observatory, a collaboration with NASA and ISAS) earlier this year show water vapor in a wide variety of sources in the cosmos where it was previously unknown. Water vapor signatures have also been detected from the outer planets, where it is thought to be contained in the planets’ atmospheres. This raises the question of whether impacting comets might be the source. In addition, ISOPHOT on ISO has detected intergalactic dust for the first time in the Coma Cluster by measuring very long wavelength emissions up to 200 microns.

M. Huber then described some recent results from SOHO (the Solar and Heliospheric Observatory). Much has now been determined about the dynamics of the solar interior including evidence of subsurface jets near the poles, differential rotation changing with depth, and a slow (80 km/h) drift of the outer layer that would take an object from the equator to the pole within one year. Studies of the ‘seeing-free’ magnetograms taken on board SOHO have shown that the emerging magnetic flux is replaced every 40 hours. The dissipation of this flux provides more than enough energy to heat the corona. M. Huber also said that Cluster II will help resolve unanswered questions on how the magnetic fields are destroyed. Measurements of the solar wind in coronal holes shows acceleration occurring around 1.8 to 2 solar radii, most probably due to ion cycle resonance. Finally, he noted the increase in the solar "constant" as solar maximum approaches.

J. Credland then described ESA’s ongoing missions. In October, the joint ESA/NASA mission Cassini/Huygens launched perfectly on its way to Saturn. The Huygens probe, to be dropped onto Titan in November 2004, is functioning largely as expected. XMM (X-ray Multi-Mirror satellite), one of the most important missions of the next decade, is due for launch in August 1999. The size of the telescope tube and the required accuracies of the x-ray mirrors all present major production challenges. Five flight models are being built with results improving each time. Thermal testing is now underway at ESTEC.

INTEGRAL, a collaborative mission with Russia, would have been a Cornerstone-priced mission but for the use of the XMM bus, which reduces its cost. It is currently in structural thermal testing and is due for launch in 2001.

Construction of Cluster II is underway. The four spacecraft will be launched in a 2+2 configuration on Soyuz rockets within one week of each other.

SMART-1 is a new technology demonstration mission, with the formal go-ahead for Phase B. The mission has a 15 kg payload for science and technology and will demonstrate navigation by use of solar-electric propulsion. Launch towards the Moon and/or a near-earth orbit rendezvous is planned for the end of 2001.

ROSETTA is progressing. Payload development problems due to funding issues have all now been solved. Launch is set for January 2003. The mission will rendezvous with the comet Wirtanen, place a lander on the surface, and make remote and in-situ observations for 2 years.

Mars Express is another new mission, the first flexible (F-1) mission in the Horizon 2000 program, due for launch May-June 2003. Formal approval will be given next November, but work on the mission has already started. This is primarily an orbiter mission, but is also capable of carrying up to four lander modules. It has a one Martian-year lifetime, with a possible extension of one more Martian year still under discussion.

An Announcement of Opportunity for the FIRST/Planck program was issued October 3, 1997. Two independent studies of the integration of the Planck and FIRST missions show that it is feasible to mount two telescopes on one spacecraft, with the FIRST payload in the bottom of the service module. Two integrated operational options are under consideration, providing a variety of interspersed scans and surveys, prior to the FIRST main survey starting 2007 or 2008. In addition, a parallel study of separate missions is under way, and a final option will be approved in May, 1998.

During the break for lunch, a video of SOHO images was played, showing the November 4, 1997 coronal mass ejection and flare. It was very well received.

3.2 ISAS

A. Nishida said that ISAS has had a very fruitful year since the last IACG meeting, with the successful launch of the M-V rocket in February, carrying the HALCA space VLBI mission. HALCA will perform radio observations at 1.6, 5, and 22 GHz with an 8m antenna. Twenty or thirty ground stations throughout the world are working with the mission.

The ISAS fiscal year began in April 1997. Astro-F has been selected as a New Start. Solar-B was proposed to the Space Science Committee for Phase B and the decision will be known shortly. SELENE, a lunar orbiter to study the surface structure of the Moon, and a joint mission with NASDA, will be proposed for Phase B this year.

A. Nishida described a proposed restructuring within the Japanese government involving a merger between the Ministry of Education (responsible for schools, universities and basic research and to which ISAS reports) and the Science and Technology Agency (responsible for applied research) to which NASDA reports. Such a merger has been agreed but there has been no discussion of implementation details. W. Huntress asked whether a merger between ISAS and NASDA was contemplated. A. Nishida responded that nothing had been discussed but that such a merger could probably not be tolerated.

H. Okuda then described Yohkoh, ASCA (Advanced Satellite for Cosmology and Astrophysics), HALCA and, in particular, ISO activities. With guaranteed time on ISO, Japanese scientists have been undertaking a very deep galaxy survey using the ISOCAM instrument.

ASTRO-E, an x-ray observatory with a range from soft to hard x-rays, will be launched January-February 2000. It has three soft x-ray telescopes, including an x-ray micro-calorimeter cooled to 65 mK, and one hard x-ray telescope. ISAS is now moving towards production of flight models. ASTRO-F (IRIS: InfraRed Imaging Surveyor) is a 70-cm telescope cryogenically cooled by liquid helium that will provide a data base for advanced observations by FIRST and SIRTF. Launch will be in early 2003.

Solar-B, a joint effort with the US and UK, will be launched in the winter of 2004. It combines x-ray telescopes with an optical telescope that provides precise magnetic measurements for simultaneous observations to study photospheric magnetic evolution, coronal heating and dynamics, and the solar dynamo.

K. Tsuruda discussed Japan’s future program in solar system exploration. Planet-B will be launched in July 1998 on an M-V. It will carry about 15 instruments, several of which have foreign PIs, to study the interaction of the solar wind with the Martian upper atmosphere. The final flight model is currently undergoing testing. MUSES-C is an engineering demonstration of a rendezvous and sample return (launch is in 2002 and return in 2006) to the asteroid Nereus. These missions are both approved.

Pending approval is SELENE, the joint lunar mission proposed with NASDA. It consists of an orbiter, lander and relay satellite to perform global mapping, gravimetry and selenodesy. Launch is scheduled for 2003 on an H-IIa. A Mercury/Venus/Lunar network is also being considered. Lunar-A, a two-penetrator Moon mission to be launched in 1999 on an M-V rocket, will undertake a seismological and heat flow study of the Moon. The penetrators are now being tested.

3.3 NASA

W. Huntress described the NASA Space Science Enterprise Mission as to:

i) solve the mysteries of the Universe

ii) explore the solar system

iii) discover planets around other stars, and

iv) search for life beyond Earth.

He emphasized that discovery is a central theme of the program today. Mars Pathfinder has made a tremendous impact; Mars Global Surveyor and Cassini will provide excellent and exciting science. He noted that a new edition of the Office of Space Science Strategic Plan was currently being printed, and provided a black and white photocopy for reproduction at the meeting. The plan represented a significant milestone. It takes a long look into the future, twenty-five years hence, and gives New Start candidates for the years FY2001-2004.

W. Huntress briefly described current missions, including the low-cost, high-frequency Explorer and Discovery programs. The last of the Delta-class Explorers, ACE (Advanced Composition Explorer), was launched in August 1997. New MIDEX (Medium Class Explorer) missions are FUSE (the Far Ultraviolet Spectroscopic Explorer), MAP (Microwave Anisotropy Probe), and IMAGE (Imager for Manetopause-to-Aurora Global Exploration); upcoming SMEX (Small Explorers) missions are WIRE (Wide-Field Infrared Explorer), TRACE (Transition Region and Coronal Explorer), SWAS (Submillimeter Wave Astronomy Satellite), GALEX (the Galaxy Evolution Explorer), and HESSI (High Energy Solar Spectroscopic Imager). SNOE (Student Nitric Oxide Explorer) is a University-class Explorer. There will be further Announcements of Opportunity for all three of these programs next year.

In the Discovery program, NEAR (Near-Earth Asteroid Rendezvous) reaches rendezvous with Eros in January, 1999. Lunar Prospector will be launched in January, 1998, on a new launch vehicle, the Athena II, which is similar to the M-5 rocket. Stardust, a comet coma sample return, will be launched in 1999. Genesis, a solar-wind sample return mission, will launch in 2001, and CONTOUR, a comet fly-by mission, in 2002.

W. Huntress commented that results from the Compton Gamma Ray Observatory show evenly distributed gamma-ray bursts almost certainly at cosmological distances. He said also that a problem had been encountered with software on the integrated AXAF (Advanced X-Ray Astrophysics Facility) payload module such that launch might slip from August 1998 to November or January 1999. In addition, SIRTF (Space Infrared Telescope Facility) is currently in Phase B with Phase C/D anticipated by April 1998.

W. Huntress then discussed Mars missions in the Surveyor, Discovery, and New Millenium programs from 1996 to 2005, a series of orbiter and lander missions with the new objectives of selecting, caching, and returning samples by 2005. Several missions also include technologies and data collection of relevance to future human exploration. NASA had received a budget augmentation in FY1998 for Mars exploration and he noted that there was plenty of opportunity for international participation. OSS is in discussions with RSA and the Human Exploration enterprise at NASA HQ about collaboration on the 2001 missions. If ESA proceeds with the Mars Express program, NASA would no longer need to launch an orbiter in 2003, but could instead use a communications feature provided by ASI, the Italian Space Agency, to Mars Express.

Galileo ended its prime mission on December 7, 1997 and continues on an extended mission with eight passes of Europa, four passes of Callisto, and two of Io before the spacecraft is lost due to radiation. Cassini is on its way to Saturn via two Venus passes, an Earth and a Jupiter pass, arriving at Saturn in 2004.

W. Huntress described new missions in the Origins Initiative to explore galaxies, stars, and planetary systems. These missions have been accepted by Congress, although funding may suffer from the balanced budget agreement. The Mars Surveyor enhancement shifts strategy from in-situ science to sample return in 2005. Missions to the outer planets include the Europa and Pluto/Kuiper missions, and also Solar Probe, with the first New Start in 2000. These are much less expensive missions than traditionally is the case (about $300m) but are based on new technology not yet available. Consequently there is a heavy emphasis on new technology development. R. Bonnet asked whether RTGs would be used. A new class of smaller, more efficient, and robust radioisotope power sources are in joint development with the U.S. Department of Energy for these missions, according to

W. Huntress.

The New Millenium Deep Space (DS) program is also developing smarter, lighter spacecraft, a "mainframe to personal computer" approach. DS-1 will include experimental microelectronics, autonomous navigation, and "artificial intelligence" software. DS-2 will demonstrate small, passive hard landers for Mars as well as test for subsurface moisture. DS-3 carries a separated interferometry test, and DS-4 is a comet nucleus sample return mission.

Near-term missions to be proposed for the years FY2000-2004 include a reinvigoration of the international payloads line, e.g. FIRST in 2000. The Solar-Terrestrial probes line is to be continued after TIMED (Thermosphere, Ionosphere, Mesosphere Energetics and Dynamics) e.g. Solar-B, STEREO, and the Magnetospheric Multiscale mission, and a further ISTP extension for data analysis is planned for beyond FY1999. GLAST (Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope) is proposed for a New Start in 2001, and Constellation, a follow-on to AXAF, in 2004. New Start dates assume technical readiness.

3.4 RSA

A. Galeev then presented the current Russian space research program. At a recent Intercouncil meeting, it had been agreed that the operating missions APEX and CORONAS would be continued. SPECTRUM-X has the top priority for funding, but more money is needed to speed up the project.

The dish for the second SPECTRUM mission (Radioastron) is not ready, nor is the telescope for the third mission, SPECTRUM-UVT. A. Galeev said that there was some discussion of whether all missions would, in fact, be launched. Most Russian missions will be delayed, particularly RELIC-2. Heliospheric missions are not on the official list due to lack of funds. The current program shows 10 years of missions, but as the budget has decreased by 200%, this will have to be reconsidered.

A. Galeev presented Project "Swarm", a mission concept developed 20 years ago but now potentially useful for studying small-scale processes. However, the Interhelios and Solar Probe missions are of higher priority.

L. Zelenyi presented data from Interball and described participation in IACG Campaigns, including a substorm campaign based on intervals selected in October, November, and December, 1996.

V. Moroz then presented Russian plans for future solar system exploration. The programs’s goals are to investigate the origin of the solar system, the origin of life, and the evolution of solar system bodies, particularly Mars. Other targets are the Moon and small bodies. Proposed Russian missions are Luna-Glob (2001), a Mars-Phobos rover and sample return, possibly launched on one rocket, in 2003, Luna-Geolog-1, a Moon sample return mission (2004), a Moon Rover in 2006, and an asteroid sample return mission in 2008. Possible participation in international missions includes two Mars Surveyor missions and ESA’s Mars Express, followed by NASA’s Mars sample return in 2005. Dr. Moroz said that international participation will be important.

The Mars Rover (Marsokhod) is part of the Mars Together mission concept for a Russian cruise and descent module to deliver Marsokhod in conjunction with a US Mars orbiter, which will provide a fast relay link for Marsokhod.

V. Moroz also presented a profile of the Mars-Phobos sample return mission for launch in 2003 and return to Earth in 2006.

4.0 Reports from the Working Group Definition Team

4.1 WG-1: Solar System Exploration

C. Pilcher proposed Terms of Reference for Working Group 1, Solar System Exploration. The Definition Team decided to focus WG-1 science objectives on studies of Mars, Moon, and small bodies, and to include the definition of joint mission science objectives in its Terms of Reference. The proposed Chair is C. Pilcher and Deputy Chair, K. Tsuruda. C. Pilcher then illustrated the ESA program of solar system exploration, describing a balanced program to provide the physical, chemical, and biological evolutionary boundary conditions spanning the range of conditions in the solar system from primitive and intermediate to more evolved bodies.

C. Pilcher also showed Mars Global Surveyor images of the Valles Marineris, showing layering and folded bedding rock patterns suggesting a complex geologic history. More details will become available during the aerobraking period.

He also briefly described experiments selected for the Mars 2001 mission: Athena on the rover, Themis and GRS on the orbiter, and MARDI on the descent module/lander. Possible investigations related to human exploration include radiation, soil and dust, and resource utilization experiments.

C. Pilcher also briefly described the Genesis and CONTOUR missions in the Discovery program. Genesis, placed outside the Earth’s magnetosphere, will capture and return to Earth solar wind ions and elements to enhance understanding of the initial composition of the materials that ultimately formed the planets. CONTOUR will improve knowledge of comet nuclei and their diversity. Encounters are planned with Encke (November 12, 2003), SW3 (June 18, 2006) and d’Arrest (August 16, 2008).

4.2 WG-2 ISTP (A. Pedersen)

A. Pedersen presented the Terms of Reference for WG-2 (ISTP). The WG-2 plans to encompass the work of the three previously existing Working Groups, i.e. science coordination, data analysis activities, and spacecraft operations. It was suggested that each agency would nominate 4 members, and several names were put forward, as follows:

ESA: V. Domingo, J. Ellwood, R. Schmidt

ISAS: M. Hoshino, T. Mukai, A. Nishida, (Y. Ogawara)

NASA: R. Carovillano, J. Green

RSA: V. Oraevskii, L. Zelenyi

A. Pedersen presented recommendations from WG-2, as follows.

A. Pedersen then gave a status report of each of the ISTP campaigns under way. A workshop is planned to integrate the rich harvest of Campaign 1 data, together with new elements from ACE, SOHO, Yohkoh and Solar-B. The Double Star Project should be incorporated into Campaign 2.

4.3 WG-3: Data Archiving (J. Green)

J. Green presented a proposed charter and membership for the new WG-3, put together by a 5-member Definition Team. Its purpose would be to recommend policies, standards, procedures, and practices in science data archiving activities to facilitate the overall IACG objective of multi-agency coordination and cooperation. The group would have up to three members per agency.

5.0 Reports from Panels/Definition Teams

5.1 Panel 1: High-Energy Astrophysics (A. Bunner)

A. Bunner noted that it was a significant year in high-energy astrophysics. Gamma-ray burst research is one of the most exciting areas, involving cooperation among a variety of spacecraft and ground-based facilities in observing some of the largest explosions in the universe, following the Big Bang. A. Bunner described the current and near-future suite of high-energy astrophysics missions, each with specific and complementary strengths. A workshop may be organized to determine how best to utilize these complementary advantages. Mission flexibility is important in providing a quick response to targets of opportunity, such as blazars, gamma-ray bursts, x-ray transients, and supernovae. He noted that the community was anxious to see Spectrum-X launched in the timeframe of AXAF and XXM, and also pointed out that currently planned missions extend no further than the year 2008. The Panel had no recommendations.

5.2 Panel 2: Infrared/Submillimeter Astronomy (H. Thronson)

H. Thronson described a 5-10 year horizon for the work of the new Panel 2, listing a possible set of science activities based on a mission suite to be launched through 2007. He briefly described SIRTF, NGST, FIRST and TPF (Terrestrial Planet Finder) and then focused on three prime activities for the panel:

• coordination of "Key Projects" to optimize for specific strengths, especially of observatory missions such as SIRTF and ASTRO-F, and NGST and FIRST
• coordination of multiple IR/sub-mm contributions to the Near Earth Objects data base in the Planetary Data System
• coordination of symposia, workshops, etc., to enhance IR/sub-mm campaigns

The Panel discussed the development of a far-future "International IR/sub-mm Observatory" but the Heads of Delegation noted that the IACG normally does not invent future missions.

6.0 Report from the Space VLBI Community (F. Jordan)

F. Jordan described a set of objectives and a work plan for the continuation of the Space VLBI Panel. These included:

• the transfer of flight operations lessons learned from VSOP experience to future projects
• the folding of science results into technical influence on future mission design
• the recommendation of standards for both space and ground VLBI systems
• the recommendation of data link frequency allocations
• the recommendation of target goals for supporting technology developments

He recommended that the Space VLBI Panel be continued, with reconstituted membership. J. Smith, JPL was suggested as Chair, and S. Slysh, Astro Space Center, as Deputy Chair. N. Kardashev then presented results from HALCA and described progress in the construction of Radioastron. Final vacuum testing would be implemented in March 1998.

Following the VLBI presentation, J. Credland proposed a new Working Group to address tracking, commanding, and data acquisition compatibility between the four agencies. He presented a draft recommendation for initial consideration.

The meeting adjourned at 5:00 pm and reconvened at 9:00 am the following morning with discussion of memberships.

7.0 Working Group and Panel Membership (C. Pilcher)

C. Pilcher presented the membership proposals raised at the meeting to date:

Formal designation of additional members was requested by e-mail by January 30, 1998. WG and Panel membership should be about 3 members per agency, although WG-2 might extend to four.

8.0 Conclusions on Working Group and Panel Recommendations

C. Pilcher led the discussion. The Terms of Reference of WG-1 were accepted. R. Bonnet suggested that a sub-group on Mars mission planning and coordination be set up within WG-1, with M. Coradini, ESA, as Chair. There were no Recommendations at this time.

A. Pedersen again presented WG-2’s Terms of Reference and Recommendations. The Terms of Reference of WG-2 were accepted. R. Bonnet could not agree to Recommendation 1 as he felt that solar physics should be covered by WG-2. W. Huntress said there should be unanimious agreement on the establishment of Panels and suggested there may be other avenues outside IACG to pursue the same goal. NASA supported the ESA position and thus the Recommendation was rejected.

A. Pedersen consequently reaffirmed that WG-2 will consider the coordination of approved solar missions.

After some discussion on Recommendation 2 (on the Double Star Project) and clarification that there was no question of Chinese membership in IACG, the Recommendation, with some modifications, was accepted.

Recommendations 3 and 4 (on a new campaign for studying the solar-terrestrial environment at solar-maximum and continuing the work on data formats and standards) were accepted without extended discussion.

C. Pilcher read the proposed charter of the new WG-3 on behalf of J. Green. While thinking the objectives ambitious and suggesting a more focussed approach, the Heads of Delegation accepted the Terms of Reference.

Panel 1 had no Recommendations. The proposed Terms of Reference of Panel 2 were discussed and were accepted with the deletion of references to definition of a far-future international IR/submm observatory.

The proposed work plan for a VLBI Panel (Panel 3) was presented as the Terms of Reference for that panel and after a short discussion was accepted by the Heads of Delegation.

J. Credland presented the proposed initial Charter for a new WG-4 to address tracking, commanding, and data acquisition compatability between the four agencies (See Appendix 1). The discussion noted that the text needed to be more focused, but all agreed that it was important to begin this work, complicated and lengthy though it may be. A more focused text was promised by January 30, 1998.

9.0 International Space Science Institute (J. Geiss)

J. Geiss noted that all four Heads of Delegation are members of the Board of ISSI. He reported that in 1997 the Institute held three workshops and hosted five Visiting Scientists on stays of from two to six months. To date, ISSI has held six workshops, each to be published in book form, two of which are already available. In January, 1998, a workshop entitled "Solar Composition: Evolution in Time from Core to Corona" will be held. He described results from a May 1997 workshop, "Promordial Nuclei and their Galactic Evolution" and noted that in 1998, a workshop on comets is planned, the start of a long-term program. He proposed a resolution to the Heads of Delegation, supporting the recent work of the Institute, which was quickly agreed and signed. (See Appendix 2).

10.0 International Mars Exploration Working Group (S. Linkin)

S. Linkin described the recent efforts to recover the lost science of the Mars 96 mission through a possible Mars Express mission that might provide landers. Surface science might include meteorology and seismic measurements, together with geological and chemical experiments. The inclusion of a rover on the mission was still under study. The group is looking at establishing communications links through an orbiter to coordinate Russian and European surface stations, and at maximizing coordination between the ESA and NASA programs for missions in 2001, 2003, and 2005.

C. Pilcher added that the next meeting of IMEWG will be March 5 and 6 in Paris with the prime topic being Mars Express and the potential collaboration of ESA, ASI, and NASA to accomplish science goals and communications through 2005. He expected that this would lead to a discussion of the Mars Sample Return mission intended for 2005.

11.0 International Lunar Exploration Working Group (C. Pilcher)

E. Galimov, Director of the Vernadsky Institute in Moscow, was named as the new Chair at the last meeting of ILEWG. A report on the Kyoto Workshop was presented at the last IACG meeting. The next ILEWG meeting will be held in conjunction with the ILEWG-sponsored Third International Conference on the Exploration and Utilization of the Moon, to be held October 10-14 in Moscow. A draft announcement was circulated. Topics had been agreed in Turin in October, with the intention of broadening the scope of lunar science to include the use of the Moon in understanding Earth and the origins of Earth. A program committee has been proposed but not yet formally agreed.

12.0 Any Other Business

No other business was raised.

13.0 Date and Location of Next Meeting

ESA will host the next meeting of the IACG to be held in Bern, Switzerland, during the week of October 5, 1998. Working Group and Panel meetings will be held on Tuesday October 6, and the full plenary meeting on October 7 and 8, 1998.

On behalf of all participants, R. Bonnet congratulated A. Galeev and his colleagues on the organization of the meeting and looked forward to welcoming the IACG to Europe next year.

Appendix 1

Proposal to the IACG for the establishment of a Working Group to address tracking, commanding, and data acquisition compatability between the four agencies.

As more missions become international by nature with generally reduced budgets for space science, it will become more important to be able to utilize resources from all agencies to accomplish missions. This is especially true in the area of tracking, commanding, and data acquisition from spacecraft.

The IACG is therefore requested to support the establishment of a Working Group to study the broad spectrum of interoperability between all four agencies to include, but not be limited to, navigation commanding, data acquisition, frequency allocation etc., for future missions. The Working Group will develop a recommendation for a coordinated and phased implementation for IACG to approve.

Appendix 2

Appendix 3

A. Galeev       R. Bonnet

A. Boyarchuk K. Barbance

E. Galimov  G. Cavallo      

N. Kardashov         J. Credland

R. Kremnev V. Domingo      

S. Kulik J. Ellwood      

S. Kulikov M. Huber

V. Moroz   A. Pedersen    

R. Nazirov   R. Schmidt

V. Oraevsky    S. Volonte    

M. Panasyuk    B. Villegas  

K. Pichkhadze         

N. San'ko       

R. Sunyaev       

L. Zelenyi        

A. Nishida W. Huntress

K. Anazawa J. Boyce

Y. Matogawa A. Bunner

H. Matsuo J. Gorman

F. Nagase J. Green

I. Nakatani V. Jones

Y. Ogawara F. Jordan

H. Okuda H. Lancaster

K. Tsuruda L. LaPiana

K. Uesugi A. Ocampo

Mrs. Nishida C. Pilcher

Mrs. Ogawara H. Thronson

G. Withbroe

J. Geiss, Observer, ISSI    

Appendix 4

Status as of Aug. 6, 1998