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Swift Observing Strategy and Data Flow

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Overview
Observing Strategy - detailed timeline of standard GRB observation
Data Products Timeline - how soon new data products are available after burst detection
GCN Notices - how Swift uses the GCN (work in progress)
Follow-up Observations

Overview - Swift Observation and Data Flow

(explanatory text below diagram)

Diagram of Swift Mission Operations and Data Flow

Swift observes pre-planned targets until a gamma-ray burst is detected within the BAT field of view

Swift autonomously slews to point narrow-field instruments (NFIs) at the burst and sends early burst data to ground via TDRSS (Tracking and Data Relay Satellite System)

TDRSS data go to the Mission Operations Center (MOC) at Penn State University (PSU) and to the astronomical community via the Gamma-ray burst Coordinates Network (GCN)

Full science and housekeeping data from the burst are downloaded at the Malindi Ground Station during the next telemetry pass (there are typically 9-12 passes per day)

Mission Operations Center relays all data to the Swift Data Center (SDC) for processing

Quick-Look data are available on the web within 3 hours after receipt by SDC

Archive sites receive full, final processing of data after the last observation is completely processed (usually about one week)

Follow-up observations performed by the astrophysics community may be uploaded to Archive, at the observers' discretion

Swift also use TDRSS for rapid response to target of opportunity (ToO) observations. These can be gamma-ray bursts found by other observatories, or other targets with compelling science

The Swift Science Center (SSC) provides user-support, documentation, data analysis software and techniques, and answers questions from the community.