The replacement of the Experiment Display System (EDS) and remodelling of the Telescope Operations Control Center (TOC) has been completed. The new EDS, called the Telescope Operations Command Station (TOCS), is based on a VAXstation 3100 and as in the old system, there are 3 TOCS, two in Building 21 and one in Building 14. This system is presently operating and running the spacecraft, however as with any new system there may be some small delays due to lack of familiarity with the system. An enhanced version (Version 2.0) of the new software which will provide increased speed and power is in the developement stage.
The new TOCS provides a number of fringe benifits that are worth mentioning. The HST Guide Star Catalog is now on-line along with advanced tools for displaying the star charts. This has greatly sped up target and/or guide star identification in difficult fields. We no longer are limited to storing two images on disk and can now allow a GO to examine an image taken up to a few days earlier. An additional tool is the ability to generate sky maps real time for GO's targets. This is useful for programs with many targets covering large areas of the sky.
As the new TOCS is a modern workstation, our ability to set up sites for remote observing has been greatly expanded. With the new hardware we will be able to set up remote observing for any site which has: a SPAN or INTERNET connection, a workstation or other display device, and IDL Version 2. We will export a small IDL package which will allow the user to display FES and spectral images that will be sent over the network. It is IMPORTANT to note that the project still must approve remote observing for each GO program.
The new TOCS lies in a completely remodelled TOC. This is an enlarged room (containing both primary and backup EDSs) with windows. The GO's have a windowing terminal in the TOC itself which allows them to work in the RDAF but still be in close proximity to the observing. Further luxuries include modern temperature and humidty controls and reduced noise. The new GO office (G67) is located just off the TOC.