Periodic Report Summary 1 - ASTROMAP (Astrobiology and Space Missions Road Mapping) Project Context and Objectives:AstRoMap (Astrobiology Road Mapping activity) is a Coordination action that aims at providing the European Planetary Science Community with a road map in space science and astrobiology. The goals of the Project are: (i) to pose big scientific questions that could be answered with the help of space missions, and (ii) to identify according space missions to be developed in future programs. Project work include the organization of expert panels and international workshops open to the scientific community in order to discuss about those big questions and the science objectives that could be accomplished by space missions. The main deliverable would be a road map which will include, at least, the following aspects: the identification of a minimum number of missions, ordered by priority, which could shed light over the questions identified as the big challenges for the next decades of space exploration; the evaluation of the technological challenges on the space misión aspects as well as the identification of Earth Analogues to test scientific hypothesis and instrumentation. The last aspect will establish the synergies and links with the terrestrial (extreme environments) side of the project with important social benefits. The driving force of the work will be the identification of next generation technologies for space missions which could also be used for new industrial applications on Earthas socio-economicreturn. Finally, the last but not least aspect would be the involvement of the private sector which would be the main actor for new industrial technology developments to become real. AstRoMap will provide the ideal scientific and technical environment to fully analyse the new technological developments and instruments for preparing the next generation of space missions. AstRoMap will play a vital role in establishing the European Community as a leading player in planetary and space exploration.Project Results:The principal objectives achived till May 2014 have been the following:DatabaseThe AstRoMap database is an online tool allowing posting and making available one’s research profile and interest, therefore providing a powerful tool for networking and collaboration.A draft structure of the database was proposed by EANA and DLR and was circulated for comments to the AstRoMap partners. The EANA Executive Council members provided very valuable (and numerous) comments and inputs and the structure has been finalised early January. http://www.astromap.eu/database.htmlThe database has been widely disseminated within the Community and more than 100 members have now registered (09/05/2014)Mapping of European Astrobiology - QuestionnaireAstRoMap has for ambition to develop and provide a synthetic view of the European astrobiology landscape. This has been achieved through the detailed analysis of information gathered via an online survey. The survey questionnaire was developed together with the database structure. The questionnaire can be accessed via the database registration form, once participants have registered.CommunicationLogo: The AstRoMap logo is used for all communication/correspondence supportsThe graphic line of the website hasbeen developed in the same spirit. The website was online in May 2013 (www.astromap.eu)A poster and a leaflet have beenproduced by the Project Office and approved by the SC.Steering Committee meetings and teleconferenceSteering Committee meetingThe second SC meeting was held in Madrid on 27/28 February 2013. The third SC meeting was held in Madrid on 7 May 2014.TeleconferencesThe partners of the project interact on a monthly basis via teleconference organised by ESF and INTA-CAB. During these teleconferences the coordinator and project office updates the consortium about the project’s developments. After the meeting a short report and list of actions is sent to participants by ESF.Workshop 1: Origin of organic compounds - steps to life, Madrid 15-16 October 2013The 1st Workshop was organised by INTA/CAB and was held in Madrid on October 15/16.23 potential participants were invited for final sellection depending on availability. The workshop was articulated around round table discussions and splinter sessions. A dedicated questionnaire addressing the key points was opened online and widely promoted. Potential Impact:The main added value of the AstRoMap project is the identification and definition of future space missions to be developed in the 2020-decade and more. Similarly to what could be defined as a Decadal Survey we intend to identify big challenges in the form of scientific questions related to planetary sciences which could be tackled through future space missions. The questions themselves are important innovations for future science also but we plan to go further identifying the gaps on the actual knowledge that should be fixed for human being knowledge improvement. Other important innovation would be the definition of new technological developments for tackling those questions and which could be used in the identified and defined contributions to 2020 decade space missions.The propose methodology for the project is based on a number of workshops focused in one of the challenging questions each. – Thematic workshop around specific SCIENTIFIC goals. Restricted to the project team and invited speakers. – A working group will prepare the White Book– Open workshop to present the White Book• Expert group (EG – 8-10 experts) for each task• EG structuring a large workshop (50 part.)• EG to produce the reportAs the project has both goals scientific and technological, the team should be composed by from research institute, academy and technological institutes and industry.List of Websites:http://www.astromap.eu/database.html
