PFIS Commissioning and transition to Operations

1. PFIS Commissioning and transition to Operations SSWG - Commissioning

2. Main PFIS Commissioning Steps • Setup/ Test on delivery to SAAO • Setup/ Test in spectrograph room on delivery to Sutherland • Mount on tracker and integrate with telescope • Day tests on tracker • Night time commissioning • Shared risk science as modes commissioned • Handover to SALT SSWG - Commissioning

3. Strawman Schedule Assumes: 50% efficiency on 50% of nights SSWG - Commissioning

4. Transitions between Steps • Success criteria defined in advance • Review process involving Project and PFIS team makes formal decision to proceed • Partial steps encouraged when feasible • Basis for decision and issues are recorded for inclusion in final commissioning report SSWG - Commissioning

5. Telescope Readiness • Before mounting Payload: Utilities (especially those relating to instrument health and safety) & calibration facilities • For on sky tests: Ability to offset to 1 arcsec or better to position objects in slits, produce images of ~2 arcsec, and hold DIQ to 10% for 5 minute track. SSWG - Commissioning

6. Early Sky Tests • Be aware of need to separate PFIS problems from those associated with telescope--need both teams available. • Consider what tools needed to effectively resolve interface problems • Recognize this phase is expensive in terms of peoples’ time; night work is a drain and is difficult to sustain for long times SSWG - Commissioning

7. AT SALT: Adequate computers & people Basic software installed Good communication of results and test plans ELSEWHERE: Basic instrument information--in advance Rapid analysis of shared risk science essential to provide commissioning feedback Test Data Analysis SSWG - Commissioning

8. Main Commissioning Effort • Telescope + PFIS work together with reasonable reliability--want tests to focus on PFIS • Work to be done by observational mode; modes and priorities announced in advance to SALT • Consider role of data analysis support as well as on site testers • Completion of mode commissioning decided after formal discussion with Project establishing specs have been met SSWG - Commissioning

9. Shared Risk Science • Shared risk science tied to specific PFIS modes and is proposed to SALT in advance of commissioning • Proposals test for the first time the observatory proposal process -> queue • Shared risk science carries responsibility to promptly reduce data and when possible to contribute to development of data reduction and analysis tools for SALT • Programs to be executed prioritized by Director in consultation with PFIS PI to meet goals of verifying PFIS capabilities and demonstrating early science from SALT SSWG - Commissioning

10. Shared Risk Science • Shared risk science observing time will be limited during commissioning and will begin at very low levels so SALT consortium expectations need to be managed. This is likely to take longer than most prefer • Shared risk users are expected to write up short reports on their experience for posting on the web as background for SALT consortium members • Published shared risk data will include commissioning and instrument team members deemed appropriate by the Project Director and PFIS PIs. SSWG - Commissioning

11. PFIS Handover • Follows commissioning of major modes and successful shared risk science demonstrations in some areas • Implies that direct attention of PFIS team not needed to continue commissioning--thus training and documentation key factors • Handover made on recommendation of status review with key milestones passed • Consider how to phase handover with respect to science usage, e.g.,modified shared risk after handover. SSWG - Commissioning