_                    
                                                         |_|                   
      V   V   SSSS   OOO   PPPP                 \__      |_|      __/          
      V   V  S      O   O  P   P                   --____/ \____--             
      V   V   SSS   O   O  PPPP                    _ _ _ --- _ _ _             
       V V       S  O   O  P                      |_|_|_|  @|_|_|_|            
        V    SSSS    OOO   P                             o-o                   
                                                          /                    
      ***  N    E    W    S  ***                        <)                     
 

VSOP FIRST A.O. PERIOD

The 7th of February, 1997, was officially announced as the nominal launch date for the VSOP satellite at a meeting at ISAS earlier this week. The almost five month slip in the launch date -- from September 1996 to February 1997 -- has necessitated an adjustment in the long-term timeline for VSOP observations. The first Announcement of Opportunity stated that the first AO period would cover all scientific observations from January 1997 through May 1998. The second AO was planned for release early in 1997, shortly after the completion of the In-Orbit Checkout (IOC), to cover scientific observations beginning in June 1998. This timing would have allowed the actual VSOP capabilities, as determined during the IOC, to be included in the second AO.

With the launch slip, the VSOP International Science Council (VISC) has agreed in principle to keep the same spacing of events as in the original timeline with all events shifted later by 4-5 months. This means that the first AO will cover scientific observations from May 1997 through September 1998. The second AO will be released in mid-1997 and will cover scientific observations for the period beginning in October 1998. Due to orbital insertion uncertainties and the resulting uncertainties in the precession of the satellite's orbit, the best times in the mission for observing particular parts of the sky will not be able to be determined until after the satellite is launched (as stated in the VSOP Proposer's Guide).

VISC MEETING

The VSOP International Science Council will meet at ISAS on the 20th and 21st of November. This body is composed of representatives from the astronomical community from around the world who advise ISAS on the scientific aspects of the VSOP mission. A listing of the VISC members can be found on the VSOP Web site at /astro/halca/vsop/general/visc.html.en. VISC members would be pleased to hear the community's views on any issues related to VSOP.

IN-ORBIT CHECKOUT PLANNING

The first six weeks after launch of the VSOP satellite will be devoted to spacecraft maneuvers and calibration, after which observations with ground radio telescopes will begin. The first six months of the mission will be a critical period, when many aspects of the VSOP system will be checked and calibrated, and operation of the satellite with many ground radio telescopes and correlators must become efficient. Planning for the IOC period is now well underway, with all observatories having been contacted about their participation. Further details will be made available over the coming months.

 
 
       Editors: Phil Edwards and Hirax Hirabayashi