The time allocation process for ESO telescopes for the first Fast Track Channel FTC 117A (1 September 2026 - 28 February 2027) has been completed. This was based on the scientific evaluation of the Distributed Peer Review (DPR). A total of 505 hours of Service Mode observations (excluding filler programmes) were allocated on the VLT/VLTI, which is 10% higher than the total time initially reserved for this first FTC call (460 hours). As a reminder, only VLT/VLTI Normal programmes with a maximum time request of 30 hours were offered in FTC 117A.
Fast Track Channel FTC 117A Time Allocation
Published: 20 Aug 2026
The VLT Unit Telescope with the highest pressure was UT3 (7.1), followed by UT2 (6.5), UT4 (4.3), and finally UT1 (2.2). The high pressure on UT2 is a result of all ESPRESSO-1UT observations having been allocated to that telescope, due to the large amount or requested time on UT3 and UT4, and the limited science time available on UT1 due to ongoing KMOS Public Surveys and planned MOONS commissioning. The pressure on the VLTI was less than 2 for both VLTI-UT (1.3) and VLTI-AT (1.8).
The schedule timeline and the list of scheduled runs is publicly available. The DPR feedback and the outcome of the time allocation, communicated to the Principal Investigators (PIs) and delegated PIs of FTC 117A proposals on 28 July 2026, can be accessed directly via the phase 1 proposal preparation tool (p1). Users are kindly asked to provide feedback on the quality of the DPR evaluation of their proposals in p1, thereby helping us to monitor the quality and effectiveness of the proposal review process.
A second FTC call 117B covering the last two months of P117 (1 March 2027 - 30 April 2027) will be released before the end of the year. More information is provided in the Call for Proposals for P118, and further updates will be provided ahead of the call release via Science Newsletters.