The process of creating quality reference files starts with the instrument and OTA teams, who are responsible for the various forms of calibration data pertinent to them. Following a delivery protocol, the teams create, validate, test, and submit the reference files to the INS/CDBS Group, which in the process of preparation for delivery to CDBS Operations performs additional validation. The end result is the ingest of the reference files into the HST's ground system reduction pipeline (OPUS), their archiving in the Data Archiving and Distribution System (DADS), and their inclusion in the CDBS on-line archives.
The Calibration Database System (CDBS) at STScI is a set of software and databases to support the delivery, installation, archiving, tracking, and assignment of reference files. These reference files are used for pre-archive and OTFR (On-The-Fly-Reprocessing) data processing and calibration, and they can also be retrieved from the HST archive for recalibration at a user's home site. The CDBS delivery system also governs the throughput-related reference files which are used by the Exposure Time Calculators via the Synphot System.
This page details the protocols and procedures, and provides information for the reference files that have been delivered to CDBS.
For questions, please email CDBS Group, at STScI. (Note that you need to change "_at_" part of the e-mail address to "@" before you send your message.)