HST Scheduling Policy A
Internal Technical Memorandum ITM-1998-08
HST Scheduling Policy
W. Kinzel, LRPG Lead
December 21,1998
Concurrence: F.D. Macchetto, Associate Director for Science Programs
A
BSTRACT
This ITM details scheduling policies to be implemented following the NICMOS end of science.
1. Introduction
With the impending completion of the Cycle 7 NICMOS program, a revision of the HST Scheduling Policy of July 1,1997, is needed.
2. Assumptions
1. NICMOS operations will end sometime in December 98 to January 99.
2. It is advantageous to implement accepted programs expeditiously, giving priority to completing earlier Cycles (6 and 7).
3. High-Level Goals
3. Maintain high observatory efficiency to maximize science productivity.
4. Complete the remaining FOC observations expeditiously to achieve SI close out.
5. Finish 90% or more of Cycle 6 and 7 programs by July, 1999.
6. Complete GTO NICMOS and STIS programs within the originally allocated period of
October, 2000.
7. Increase the amount of STIS/MAMA observations scheduled. STIS/MAMA observations can currently only schedule in non-SAA intersected orbits. To prevent a backlog of MAMA observations, we need to schedule them at nearly the maximum sustainable rate, 37% or better.
4. Allocations and Priorities
1. Define instrument allocations for HST observing time which allow the above goals to be met. Approximate allocations are as follows. These are average allocations that may not be realized in any one week. In addition it is not yet known how accurately these percentages can be matched. A best-guess estimate is to within 10%. The allocations are indicated as percentages and as numbers of orbits per week, based on a typical 89 orbit per week execution from now through the end of Cycle 8:
• STIS/MAMA: 37%, or 33 orbits per week
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Internal Technical Memorandum ITM-1998-08
• WFPC, FOC, FGS, STIS/CCD: 63%, or 56 orbits per week
2. Within these quotas, and subject to detailed scheduling constraints, the priorities are:
• Time-critical observations (A time-critical observation is an observation that cannot be repeated for at least 3 years, if ever).
• FOC
• Cycle 6 WFPC, FGS
• STIS (up to the practical maximum)
• Cycle 7 WFPC, FGS.
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