RADPS

The Radio Astronomy Data Processing System is a next-generation software ecosystem for the processing of radio astronomical data from future telescopes, focused on the Next-Generation VLA (ngVLA) and ALMA Wideband Sensitivity Upgrade (WSU).

The Data Management and Software department at NRAO has initiated a program to develop a system for processing radio astronomical data from the next generation of radio telescopes. RADPS is envisioned to have the following objectives:

  • Preliminary Objective

Supports production of high-level data products for ALMA-WSU and ngVLA

  • Secondary Objective

Support the continued evolution of radio astronomy data processing through a widely accessible package, enabling specialization and innovation at facilities and universities.

RADPS will be based on scalable data-processing capabilities and mostly off-the-shelf technologies, with workflow and resources management, as well as intuitive user interfaces. RADPS demonstrator prototype packages (such as XRadio) are available on these GitHub pages.

RADPS is in the early stages of implementation. A System Requirements Review (SRR) and review of the conceptual architecture (as part of the ngVLA Conceptual Design Review) have been completed in 2025, and reached the goal of ensuring that the intended system design is understood and capable of delivering the desired system. Preparations are currently underway for a Preliminary Design Review (PDR), after which RADPS is expected to gradually increase its visibility to the user community.

The RADPS program is lead by NRAO, with international collaboration with the European Southern Observatory (ESO), the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan (NAOJ), and the Joint Institute for VLBI European Research Infrastructure Consortium (JIVE).

Connect with NRAO

The NSF National Radio Astronomy Observatory and NSF Green Bank Observatory are facilities of the U.S. National Science Foundation operated under cooperative agreement by Associated Universities, Inc.

Founded in 1956, the NSF NRAO provides state-of-the-art radio telescope facilities for use by the international scientific community. NSF NRAO telescopes are open to all astronomers regardless of institutional or national affiliation. Observing time on NSF NRAO telescopes is available on a competitive basis to qualified scientists after evaluation of research proposals on the basis of scientific merit, the capability of the instruments to do the work, and the availability of the telescope during the requested time. NSF NRAO also provides both formal and informal programs in education and public outreach for teachers, students, the general public, and the media.

The U.S. National Science Foundation (U.S. NSF) is an independent federal agency created by Congress in 1950 "to promote the progress of science; to advance the national health, prosperity, and welfare; to secure the national defense..."

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