The Brinson Hub leadership team and staff are currently based in the Seismological Laboratory on the 2nd floor of S. Mudd at Caltech. Future plans include some staff relocating to the Resnick Sustainability Center (RSC), which features a remote sensing center, several meeting rooms, and a science operations facility. Additional facilities on campus can be used by arrangement with their respective management.

You can contact the Brinson Hub via email: info@brinsonhub.caltech.edu.

All initiatives organized by the Brinson Hub, including Exploration Projects, educational endeavors, community-building efforts, etc are considered Brinson Hub Activities. Exploration Projects are the highest profile subclass of Brinson Hub Activities, involving significant expeditions or exploration efforts. These projects explore new frontiers and tackle complex scientific questions, with a focus on addressing the Brinson Hub pillars and leveraging unique methods of implementation.

The Brinson Hub offers various forms of support including access to specialized facilities, technical expertise, and potential funding. The exact nature of support depends on the project's needs and its alignment with the Brinson Hub's objectives. For instance, projects might receive assistance through the Brinson Hub's partnerships, access to resources, or guidance on navigating the Merit and Feasibility Assessments.

Intellectual property concerns are addressed on a project-by-project basis. Each project should work with the Brinson Hub team, who work closely with the Office of Technology Transfer and Corporate Partnerships (OTTCP) to manage IP considerations. The Brinson Hub will provide guidance and support to ensure that IP issues are appropriately handled.

Success is measured by achieving key milestones such as successful deployment or launch, and making significant contributions to scientific understanding or societal impact. Projects are expected to meet these goals, regardless of their initial Technology Readiness Level (TRL), and adapt to the Brinson Hub's iterative process of rapid design, build, and testing.

If your idea is not yet mature, you can discuss it with the Brinson Hub leadership. The Brinson Hub may also offer assistance through early concept discussions or connect you with relevant resources and partners. Additionally, the JPL Office of Research and Development (ORD) and The JPL Office of Technology, Infusion, and Strategy (OTIS) can provide guidance on further developing your concept and suggest potential funding sources.

Internal support from Caltech and JPL can be leveraged with appropriate coordination. While Brinson Hub projects typically should not rely on JPL facilities, JPL employees may be involved through various mechanisms. Coordination with internal offices and Brinson Hub leadership is essential for integrating these resources.

Brinson Hub projects should generally not depend on JPL facilities, though JPL staff can be involved. JPL employees working on Campus will be supported through standard funding transfer mechanisms. Each project should plan its resource needs accordingly and work with the Brinson Hub to manage these constraints. Please note that if you are applying to the Call for Projects, you must include 1 co-lead from Caltech (full-time Faculty) and 1 co-lead from JPL (full-time regular employee).

Project Teams are customized based on the specific needs of each project and will include leads from both Caltech and JPL. A core implementation team will be present for the entire project life cycle. Personnel should be co-located for project activities.

Teams will be structured to execute with speed, agility, and risk tolerance, and will report to the Brinson Hub's Executive Director of Operations (HED). The Brinson Hub will be responsible for ensuring that projects are staffed according to what is best for the implementation of the chosen concept. While there is a requirement for project leads to be full-time Caltech faculty and full-time JPL employees, this does not mean that a member of the team cannot be a student, post doc, contractor, intern, etc.

Projects are selected through a "Call for Exploration Projects," which involves a Merit Assessment followed by a Feasibility Assessment. Projects that pass both assessments may either move directly to the Implementation Phase or undergo a Maturation Phase to refine their technical approaches. The cadence of these calls and assessments may vary based on Brinson Hub capacity and project complexity.

All projects must be based on some kind of an expedition or physical deployment (in water, on land, in the air, or in space). These projects can include a component of novel data analysis on board and/or back at home.

Students can participate in Brinson Hub Activities and be on Exploration Project teams. Specific opportunities on projects may include course activities, hands-on technology development, software development, operations, capstone courses, formulation, etc. The Brinson Hub also supports graduate internships, summer programs like SURF and SURF@JPL, and specialized workshops.

Exploration projects will use a combination of internal funds, donations (financial and in-kind) and partnership opportunities.

Ultimately, all partnerships will be highly project dependent. Partnerships may evolve from specific project needs to broader support for the Brinson Hub's goals, involving various types of support such as funding, facilities, services, hardware, software, and talent. We encourage potential partnership ideas from those interested in submitting to a project call and from potential partners who are interested in supporting the Hub overall mission or individual projects.

If you are an external organization, individual, or entity (non Caltech, non JPL) and are interested in contributing to a Brinson Hub Activity or Project, please contact Brinson Hub Executive Director Rachel Etheredge: rethered@caltech.edu

If you have an idea or a question please contact info@brinsonhub.caltech.edu