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Fermi Users Group

FSSC News and Operations

SupportChris Shrader, Fermi Science support Center

NASA/GSFC

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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FSSC Status, Major Activities

• Preparations for P7R and ST release next month

• GI Cycle-6 program implemented• User support; query rate indicative of

strong community engagement• Operations support;

Resources for GI assessment of new observation strategies

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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A few FSSC Highlights

• Over 20Tb of data served to community, 400 Guest Investigations!

• User contributed tools from FSSC Scripted analyses, including ones which

facilitate multi-processor applications GUI driven quick look analysis (release

imminent) and full ST analyses

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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User Contributed Tools

• Nikolai’s example; screen shots …

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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User Contributed Tools

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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Cycle 6 GI Program

• Record number of proposals received; 233 Lengthy delay between review and Stage-I selections

• 50 new programs selected (49 new grants), plus 4 large project continuation approvals Pre-sequester: anticipated about 67 One new large project (out of 3 requests) New precedent: one progress report rejection

• Obviously very competitive 23% accept rate

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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Cycle-6 Program

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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• Summarize…

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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A Few Issues

• Review committees had concerns with compliancy issues Formatting guidelines ignored in ~5%

• Response to new Arecibo joint program disappointing Need to advertise better Good response to other programs: awarded

640/120/30 hrs to NRAO/NOAO/VERITAS No post-sequester Suzaku

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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Cycle 7: Possible Changes? • Issues for FUG discussion?

Multi-year programs can become problematic in times of uncertain and decreasing budgetso Consider discontinuation or reduction?

Smaller grants or fewer participants? • NRA changes:

Describe alternative observing mode impacts, opportunities

Emphasize new opportunities (eg Arecibo) and rules (e.g. proposal format)

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC

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Cycle 7 Schedule

• Slip by 1-2 months for FY budget phasing• Fund all cycle-7 grants in FY15

Budget tbd, but comparable to Cycle 6• Relieves some schedule pressure, plus

advantageous to hold review after university semesters end

• NRA modifications must precede due date by slip + 4 months

Fermi Users Group Meeting Goddard Space Flight Center, August 16, 2013 C. Shrader, NASA/GSFC