A partial list of example technology areas include:
	Reliable software and innovative fault tolerance methods
	Autonomy - rovers to operations
	Autonomy - system validation
	Automated planners and schedulers
	Human and robotic interface
	Engineering design and modeling tools
	IT tools for risk management
	Innovative IT methods for rapid technology mission infusion
	Real-time information systems
	Embedded IT systems (for control or onboard processing)
	Machine vision and advanced image processing methods
	Real-time software and IT hardware in the loop
	Novel applications - spacecraft, ground systems, telecom
	IT for low cost operations
	OOD methods that enhances reuse
	Middleware services
	Knowledge capture, management, and ontologies
	On-board vehicle health diagnosis and repair
	Reducing software development costs and risk through CMMI
	Science and user software applications
	IT for the Interplanetary Network and next generation space communications
	New software architectures, languages, compilers, tools, for space missions
	Advanced high performance computing systems and applications
	Revolutionary new information technologies

FIRST CALL FOR PAPER AND WORKSHOP TOPIC ABSTRACTS

SECOND INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON
SPACE MISSION CHALLENGES FOR INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY (SMC-IT 2006)

The role of space information technology has progressively grown in importance from the earliest days of space exploration to today, with the result that it often dominates the costs and schedules of space mission projects. The International Conference on Space Mission Challenges for Information Technology (SMC-IT) is the first forum to gather system designers, engineers, scientists, practioners, and space explorers with the objective of advancing information technology for space missions. The forum will provide an excellent opportunity for fostering technical interchange on all hardware and software aspects of IT applications in space missions.

The conference will focus on current IT practice and challenges as well as emerging information technologies with applicability for future space missions. IT in all aspects of the space mission will be explored, including flight systems, relevant ground systems, science data processing, engineering and development tools, operations, and telecommunications. The entire IT lifecycle of the mission development will also be covered, such as conceptual design, engineering tools development, integration and test, operations, science analysis, and quality control.

Novel space IT papers are solicited from all sectors of the space community, including earth orbiting systems, deep space missions, ground support systems, instruments, science, landers, rovers, and probes. The conference will address all space end application areas, including civilian, military, and commercial. Likewise, domain areas extend from human crewed missions to robotic, and Earth observing to deep space.

New to SMC-IT 2006 are mini-workshops that will be held as part of the conference to explore specific emerging technology themes in greater depth. Each mini-workshop will typically run as one track during one day and incorporate both invited and contributed papers. If you would like to organize such a mini-workshop, please submit a short abstract on the theme, scope, and goals as part of this CFP.

All manuscripts will be reviewed in a two-step process. One-page abstracts of contributed papers as well as mini-workshop proposals must be received by November 1, 2005. Notification will be mailed by December 1, 2005. The template for both can be found at the SMC-IT 2006 web site.

Authors of accepted abstracts must submit a full paper by February 1, 2006. Final publication notification will be mailed by April 15, 2006.

The conference will again be held in the beautiful Southern California city of Pasadena, home of the California Institute of Technology, the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, and the Tournament of Roses Parade, which is conveniently located near all popular attractions within the greater Los Angeles area, including Universal Studios, Hollywood, Disneyland, Beverly Hills, and many beaches.

For more detailed information on specific IT topic areas, schedule, author information, and general logistics information please refer to the conference website:

http://smc-it.jpl.nasa.gov

To be placed on the SMC-IT informational mailing list, please go to the following link:

To be removed from the SMC-IT informational mailing list, please go to the following link:

leave-smcit2006@list.jpl.nasa.gov

We look forward to seeing you in Pasadena in July of 2006!

CONFERENCE CHAIRS:

Larry Bergman (+1 818 393-5314)

Sven Grenander (+1 818 354-0156)

California Institute of Technology
Jet Propulsion Laboratory
4800 Oak Grove Drive
Pasadena, California 91109-8099

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