4. Implementation Timescale
Specifying an exact timetable for the implementation of the software tools described above lies outside the capabilities of this Working Group, and the conceptual outline of the packages is not yet sufficiently detailed to allow credible planning of implementation timescales. However, the Working Group emphasizes the importance of these tools’ being available to the astronomical community on a timescale commensurate with that of the development of the satellite constellations; the tools need to be available before the need for them is so pressing that observations are severely disrupted. Bearing in mind that software development projects frequently take significantly longer than originally expected, the Working Group stresses the urgent need to invest in the development of these tools.
