Starlink Milestones

1978

Panel on Astronomical Image and Data Processing (Disney) set up by Astronomy II committee of SRC. Its report (Jul 79) led to Starlink.

1979

SRC approved setting up of Starlink.

First meeting of SAG (Scientific Advisory Group) (Sep 12).

1980

User service began (Apr 1).

Official opening (Oct 24).

1982

Tiger Team (Culhane) set up to seek more manpower from ASR Board. Unsuccessful.

1983

Computing Review Working Party (Culhane) set up to decide how to implement cuts in Starlink staff & finance.

1984

Central management moved from Computing Division to Space & Astrophysics Division at RAL.

SUC (Starlink Users' Committee) replaced SAG.

1986

Starlink Project recommended to community that IRAF be adopted as Starlink's environment.

Software Environment Review meetings. Decided to develop ADAM.

Starlink Questionnaire No 1 (Wallace) (SGP/35).

1989

Tiger Team interviewed Starlink staff at RAL to set priorities for Project's activities. This was part of SUC's "Making Ends Meet" study.

1990

ADAM support Group set up at RAL (Allan).

1992

Starlink Review Panel (Willmore). Reported Sep 92.

1993

National Audit Office Review of Starlink (part of RAL review). Reported Jan 94.

SP (Starlink Panel) replaced SUC.

1994

Starlink Software Survey (Warren-Smith) (SGP/43).

ADAM Review Panel (Hills). Reported Mar 95 (SGP/45).

Unsuccessful bid from RGO to relocate Starlink (part of OIM review). Reported Jan 95.

1995

Move to Unix completed (Apr).

Starlink Review 1995 (Dufton) - ROSO (Review of Starlink Operations). Reported Oct 95.

1996

Starlink Software Review (Starlink Panel) - efficiency.

Starlink Software Survey 2 (Anne Charles).

Support for PCs began (Linux).

First issue of Starlink software on CD (for PC/Linux).

Starlink Software Review (Starlink Panel) - wide ranging.

1997

Starlink Prior Options Review (Robinson). Reported Jan 97.

All Starlink software now released bi-annually on CD.

ACP (Astronomical Computing Panel) replaced SP.

HAC (Head of Astronomical Computing) appointed.