1 - RAP-11/17/08 SSEC Agenda Suggestions Preparations for SSEC2 at Cape Town Bob Preston

2 - RAP-11/17/08 SSEC Agenda Suggestions More time should be spent at SSEC meetings on crucial SKA issues Too large a fraction of time is spent on informational and administrative matters How about adding an additional “discussion day” before each meeting? SSEC members would feel development of the SKA was being examined and monitored in sufficient depth Too late to change usual 2-day meeting at Cape Town, but maybe larger fraction of agenda can be devoted to these issues Two possible focus issues for Cape Town meeting SKA-mid timeline SKA program structure

3 - RAP-11/17/08 SKA-mid Timeline Discussion Current SKA-mid timeline thought to be very optimistic by many SSEC members (although latest version is improved) Aggressive project schedules are usually good in the selling phase But unrealistic schedules can hurt a project’s credibility Important to have solid international timeline for U.S. decadal survey SSEC discussion suggestion Lengthy session on SKA timeline at Cape Town Focus on items that limit progress irrespective of available funding Realistic funding constraints over time also important, so SSEC members should prepare prognosis for funding in their regions Compare to experience on other large scale projects Plan session months in advance so adequate preparation time Goal: Generate consensus view of SKA timeline that entire SSEC could support

4 - RAP-11/17/08 Current SKA Timeline 06 |08 |10 |12 |14 |16 |18 |20 |22 |24 | System Design Full SKA mid + low construction and commissioning SKA-high Construction Sites short-listed EC-FP7: PrepSKA System design Verification Programs Funding Governance Site Selection Preliminary SKA specs External Engineering Review of design Reference Design selected Pathfinder Suite Construction SKA-mid+lowComplete Phase 1 funding approval System design SKA-hi Pathfinder science Phase 1 complete Concept Design Site Select Concept design for SKA-high Prod. Readiness Review Early Science SKA mid+low SKA Operations Phase 2 funding approval Phase 1 Prod. Eng. & Tooling Phase 1 Construction

5 - RAP-11/17/08 SSEC Discussion on SKA Program Structure There are many fundamental unresolved questions about the overall structure of SKA program Many such questions are not discussed often or deeply enough by SSEC Difficult for SSEC members to determine if SKA is on best development course SSEC discussion suggestion Lengthy session at Cape Town and all subsequent SSEC meetings on these topics A draft list of possible topics was already circulated to SSEC Decide on final list well before Cape Town to allow SSEC members, SPDO, and SWG sufficient time to develop supporting material Two options for Cape Town meeting (or combination of options) Brainstorming session on set of topics Frank discussion of various points of view (no public minutes) Reaching conclusions not critical - but should identify routes to reaching answers Focused discussion on one or more issues - with more in-depth preparation

6 - RAP-11/17/08 Examples of SKA Program Issues SKA-general What are the best estimates of funding source amounts, timing, and restrictions on use? What can be done to improve international cohesiveness of SKA program? Is the operational phase affordable? How do we achieve an open-sky policy? SKA-mid Will limits on funding and technology prevent transformational science? What is a realistic assessment of FOV expansion maturity and cost? Should SKA-mid be designed for targeted as well as survey investigations? Is Phase 1 sellable? SKA-low - What is the international SKA project’s role? SKA-high What can be done to keep some focus on planning for this instrument? What is the process for identifying scientifically and politically viable sites?