Draft timeline for the SKA R. Preston (8/30/00) The accompanying diagram shows a draft timeline of milestones for the development of the SKA. Although this first outline of a path to convergence is very sketchy, it does provide a focus for discussion and debate on this issue. This rough plan was developed by a combination of two working groups at the Jodrell Bank meeting, and was discussed by the International SKA Steering Committee.
The timeline has two separate horizontal paths, one for the design choice and one for the choice of a site location. The horizontal axis is an approximate (but not linear) measure of time. Items in rectangles
indicate major milestones while items in ovals indicate input needed to achieve those milestones. Neither preliminary milestones or feedback loops are shown in this diagram to reduce visual clutter, but it is recognized
that both are needed. At the bottom is a list of groups needed to perform the tasks shown. Note that this initial plan does not indicate the processes by which these various milestones are accomplished. No
specification is made of which group is involved in each task or how the groups are related to each other; these are the subjects of an ongoing action item of the ISSC. The timeline is driven by a desire to choose an
SKA design and site within 5 years (i.e., by mid-2005). The justification for selecting 5 years for SKA development is that this would allow some time for technologies to mature as well as match the anticipated
beginning of possible funding wedges. However, the choice of 5 years is somewhat arbitrary, and the timeline could prove overoptimistic. The SKA Design Choice Timeline The timeline specifies that the SKA
design will be chosen in August 2005. This means that the number of design and technology options presently being considered must be narrowed at an earlier time to a few (say 1 to 3) strawman SKA concepts that are then
studied in some detail. This down-select is shown to occur two years before the design is finalized, or in August 2003. In order to prepare for this choice of strawman concepts, two separate paths of milestones are
displayed. The upper path deals with refining technology concepts, and includes an independent review of each present technology concept (January 2002) and the definition of the guidelines by which strawman design
choices will be made (August 2002). The lower path deals with developing more detailed science requirements and includes prioritization of science goals (January 2002) and definition of more detailed design
requirements (August 2002) with specification of breakpoints in science return to aid designers. The SKA Site Selection Choice Timeline The timeline specifies that the SKA site will be chosen in August 2005.
This date is concurrent with the choice of the SKA design since these two choices may not be independent. Letters of interest for hosting the SKA would be due by October 2001 to clarify what sites should be under
serious consideration. Detailed site requirements, partially based on the new detailed SKA design requirements described above, would be specified by January 2003 to allow adequate time for intensive site studies before
the August 2005 decision date. |
