1 Large Synoptic Survey Telescope Status Update for AAAC October 13, 2011 Nigel Sharp Division of Astronomical Sciences, NSF Kathy Turner Office of High Energy Physics, DOE

NRC decadal survey New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, highest priority ground-based project 2010 NRC decadal survey New Worlds, New Horizons in Astronomy and Astrophysics, highest priority ground-based project NSF PDR completed September 2, 2011; report received Sept.16 NSF PDR completed September 2, 2011; report received Sept.16 The Panel considers that the LSST project has met the requirements for PDR Request to NSF estimated at $429M in as-spent, then-year dollars, assuming a start in mid-FY2014 (total project cost $626M including DOE $158M and private $39M). Includes commissioning. Request to NSF estimated at $429M in as-spent, then-year dollars, assuming a start in mid-FY2014 (total project cost $626M including DOE $158M and private $39M). Includes commissioning. Ten year prime survey mission runs FY2020 to FY2030, $37.5M per year in FY2011 dollars, ~$600M in then-year dollars Ten year prime survey mission runs FY2020 to FY2030, $37.5M per year in FY2011 dollars, ~$600M in then-year dollars Summary

3 PDR report includes 36 recommendations: noteworthy issues related to risk management and to operations funding PDR report includes 36 recommendations: noteworthy issues related to risk management and to operations funding Move to AURA Center (LSST Project Office) instead of funding directly to LSST Corporation (adds cost) Move to AURA Center (LSST Project Office) instead of funding directly to LSST Corporation (adds cost) NSF/DOE Memorandum of Understanding drafted and at an advanced stage of iteration NSF/DOE Memorandum of Understanding drafted and at an advanced stage of iteration DOE CD-1 review of camera scheduled for November 1-3; prerequisite for CD-1 approval DOE CD-1 review of camera scheduled for November 1-3; prerequisite for CD-1 approval Request for approval to enter MREFC line at NSF planned for first half of 2012 (earliest budget FY2014) Request for approval to enter MREFC line at NSF planned for first half of 2012 (earliest budget FY2014) DOE/NSF coordination on track for that schedule DOE/NSF coordination on track for that schedule Project likely to request a significant increase in NSF D&D funding in FY 2013, which will be difficult to provide Project likely to request a significant increase in NSF D&D funding in FY 2013, which will be difficult to provide Summary (2)

4 Operations Cost  Sources of operations funding:  NASA: LSST can find NEOs to meet NASA mandate, but not by NASA planetary division has some interest in LSST data;  ESO:  ESO: European access to the entire LSST data and data products for very modest cost at zero risk. Funding not required until 2021; Individual foreign partners: many “expressions of  Individual foreign partners: many “expressions of interest”, no commitments;  Estimate ~$37M/year (FY2011 constant $);  Straw man: NSF ~$19M, DOE ~$9M = 75% of need;  NSF/AST and DOE/OHEP have ways to provide their share;  Options: find another $9M/year or de-scope operations;  Private donors: considered v  Private donors: considered very difficult, very unlikely  De-scope options:  less frequent data releases; reduce EPO; issue transient alerts from US not Chile; staff reductions; reduced maintenance  some items recoverable by extending to 12 years PDR panel recommendation 36: seek additional non-federal funding, seek efficiency enhancements, prioritize scientific aspirations: try not to de-scope

Site preparation 5 SOARGemini LSST rendering Environmental permits and agreements with Chile in place m First blast March 8, 2011August Private funding: donors all accept the risk of early investment No surprises found during site leveling

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