After the targets have been scheduled and the PIs have been notified, changes are sometimes required. It is important to notify a PI when an observation schedule is changed. Rapid communications via e-mail or fax means that a gamma ray burst can be reported, discussed, scheduled, and observed by ASCA within 36 hours. A week or two prior to an observation, the PI is contacted for detailed arrangements. The Japanese contact Japanese PIs, while the US team contacts US and ESA PIs.
Email is the primary method of contact.
KSC is operated six days a week. When the station is manned, it is possible to do a quick-look plot of data. These plots are distributed via fax. Electronic delivery would be a useful method to pass the quicklooks along to the PIs. However, the current system is not set up for this, and so a fax machine is used.