Dear colleagues,

SSAP is undertaking a “light-touch” revision of the “Roadmap for Solar
System Research” (Nov. 2012) to be presented to STFC Science Board in July
2015. This is not a full rewrite of the document as was carried out in
2012. This activity is a prelude to a more comprehensive revision to
follow in 2016. The current version of the roadmap is accessible at:

http://www.stfc.ac.uk/resources/pdf/ssaproadmapv8.pdf

In carrying out this revision we must take into account changes in the
international landscape, and advances in ground-based instrumentation,
technology, theory, and modelling work. These include the outcome of the
ESA M3/L1 mission calls, ongoing results of the ESA M4 call, and the ESA
L2/L3 science theme selection process, operational extensions of space-
and ground-based facilities, and changes in science priorities. We will
naturally embed community responses to recent consultations where
appropriate.

As such we solicit your input and comments on the roadmap and any material
we should consider in revising the roadmap. This consultation will close
on FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015. Specifically we invite:

1. One-page “white papers” on new/revised mission concepts, ground-based
facilities, modelling/theoretical activities, clear examples of
outstanding outreach and economic/societal impact, and technology
development/knowledge exchange activities. Please send these to
c.arridge@lancaster.ac.uk.

2. Comments and input on the current “Roadmap for Solar System Research”
via the survey at http://bit.ly/SSAPRoadmap2015 .

A draft roadmap will be released to the community on FRIDAY 12 JUNE at
which time we invite further comments. A town hall meeting has been
arranged for FRIDAY 19 JUNE at the Royal Astronomical Society, London,
with the opportunity to discuss this roadmap. Comments on this draft
revision must be received by FRIDAY 27 JUNE for us to revise the roadmap
in response to further community comments for submission to Science Board
at the beginning of July.

Key dates:
FRIDAY 29 MAY 2015: Consultation closes
FRIDAY 12 JUNE: Draft roadmap released
FRIDAY 19 JUNE: Town hall meeting
FRIDAY 26 JUNE: Deadline for submission of comments on the revised roadmap

Best regards,
Chris Arridge on behalf of the Solar System Advisory Panel

Chris Arridge (Chair, Lancaster), Hilary Downes (Birkbeck), Bob Forsyth
(Imperial), Alan Hood (St. Andrews), Katie Joy (Manchester), Stephen Lowry
(Kent), Sarah Matthews (UCL-MSSL), Chris Scott (Reading), Colin Wilson
(Oxford).