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The INTEGRAL Science Working Team (ISWT) Introduction In November 2003, the SPC approved a mission extension for INTEGRAL (ESA/SPC(2003)45, rev. 1). This paper stated the Executive's intention to set up an INTEGRAL Users' Group (IUG) in parallel to the already existing INTEGRAL Science Working Team (ISWT) for the extended mission: "Based on the successful experience with XMM-Newton"..."to institute a Users' Group for INTEGRAL in order to maximize the connection of the mission with the widest community". Implementation The Executive and the ISWT reviewed and evaluated the role and responsibilities of the XMM-Newton Users' Group in order to establish the Terms of Reference for the INTEGRAL Users' Group (IUG). There is a fundamental difference between XMM-Newton and INTEGRAL in the definition and optimization of the Guaranteed Time observing programme (Core Programme) during the extended mission phase: XMM-Newton defined the Core Programme for the entire mission well in advance, before its Users's Group was established and the XMM-Newton Science Working Team was dissolved. On INTEGRAL, the ISWT review and define the Core Programme prior to each AO. The ISWT is convinced that the Core Programme should not be frozen for several years in advance, as this would prohibit any reaction to new scientific priorities, to forthcoming missions, or to changes in the instrument performance. Following discussions with the ISWT, it was concluded that for INTEGRAL, rather than replacing the SWT by the UG as was done on XMM-Newton, the IUG and the ISWT should exist in parallel as separate - but communicating - bodies. After taking the decision to open up all available time for Guest Observers from 2009 onward, the ISWT was formally dissolved in 2007, merging effectively with the INTEGRAL Users' Group (IUG). Terms of References for the ISWT The tasks of the newly established INTEGRAL Users Group (IUG), were part of the responsibilities of the ISWT during the development and the nominal mission phases (from 1993 until Dec 2004) as described in the INTEGRAL Science Management Plan (SMP, ESA/SPC(94), rev.1, Section 3.1). For the INTEGRAL mission in its extended phase, ESA has decided to implement an INTEGRAL Users Group (IUG) and consequently, the tasks of the ISWT during the extended mission phase were:
- Establishing and optimizing the Core Programme (guaranteed time observations)
- Identifying and maintaining a coherent calibration and performance verification policy
- Participation in major programme reviews
- Advising on the maintenance and possible further enhancement of the science ground segment with particular reference to the operational scenario, observatory products and database structure.
Members of the ISWT The current list of ISWT members and their coordinates can be found here.  The ISWT during the 20th meeting (16-17 January 2001, ESTEC)  More ISWT members, posing in front of the INTEGRAL spacecraft... (26 March 2002, ESTEC). |
