Documents Related To The Submission And Assessment Of The Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (ligo) Australia Proposal In 2011.

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In 2011, the Department of Innovation, Industry, Science and Research (DIISR) received a proposal to establish a Laser Interferometer Gravitational Wave Observatory (LIGO) facility at the existing Australian International Gravitational Observatory site in Western Australia. The proposal sought approximately $140 million for construction plus $6-10 million annually for operational costs over 10 years (total $200-240 million), with commissioning targeted for 2017. The facility would house a US-based Advanced LIGO detector to complement northern hemisphere observatories and enhance gravitational wave detection capabilities. DIISR officials met with US National Science Foundation representatives in February 2011 to discuss the proposal, with an October 2011 funding decision deadline identified. However, DIISR noted no existing funding mechanism could support a request of this scale, and indicated the Australian astronomy community would prefer European Southern Observatory membership if funding were available.