Some thoughts on major challenges ahead for AGIS 27 June 2008 AGIS Collaboration Meeting Rene Ong

Fiscal Realities (as of 2005) NSF and DOE budgets are likely to be flat during the next several years. The NASA budget will be flat or declining, and the way that the funding will be allocated is not clear. A $50-200M project is “large” needs a strong constituency backing it.  We need to work together! There are pressures at the top (the “big things”) and competition at ~$100M level. This is a time of overly-high expectations. In spite of the general difficulties, there are good prospects for funding in VHE particle astrophysics – this will be especially true with new results from current missions (GLAST and ground-based). Everything could change in a few years. In fact, things are probably worse now compared to From Malibu meeting, October 2005

What is our Strategy? Possible ideas: Science: 1. We distill the scientific case into a very few key physics topics… suspect this will include cosmology (high-z point sources and diffuse backgrounds) and mapping the HE content of the Galaxy. 2. We connect to mainstream astronomy in terms of our science rationale. 3. We present the logical, sensible follow-up to GLAST & existing ground-based projects. What unique (and new) contributions will be made? Strategic Plans: 1. We get going on simulations, basic R&D, and international partnerships. Perhaps a design group is needed. 2. We get ready to present a conceptual design to “VHE Task Force” and to the next Decadal Survey. Time scale of 2-3 years. We get back on the radar screen. 3. We need to synchronize funding across the various countries. A single lead country may help. 4. Connecting to other communities (X-ray, CR,, cosmology) could help, but this needs to be done in a sensible way. Let’s discuss at this meeting ! From Malibu meeting, October 2005

Now, back to the present time …

A non-ordered list I 1.Establish regular dialogue with other scientific groups, especially CTA, HAWC. We have dialogue already, but it could be more structured. 2.Develop MOU(s) with other scientific groups. This can start with exchange of R&D and site information, and then it could progress further. 3.Develop an updated plan for the R&D. This will lead to a proposal to be submitted in September Start systematic information gathering for candidate sites and develop the site selection process.

A non-ordered list II 5.Develop a complete and consistent picture about AGIS that can be presented to agencies, community, review panels and committees, covering: Major science goals, in post-GLAST era. Overall scope of project, in units of $10M, total project costs, plus contingency.* Our desired timetable. Our co-operations with other groups. *This requires some sort of cost exercise for a baseline design, and for a possible advanced design. 6.Plan agency visits on an annual basis.