Scheduling Strategies for the AuScope VLBI network

In recent years Australia established the AuScope VLBI array which consists of three new 12-m radio telescopes across the continent (Hobart, Katherine and Yarragadee). With this network, the independent AUSTRAL observing program is carried out, regularly adding two more telescopes, the 12-m telescope in New Zealand and the 15-m telescope in South Africa. The observing plans (schedules) are created in Vienna, Austria and the correlation is done in Perth, Australia. The network engages in different AUSTRAL experiments (astrometric and geodetic) with contradictory aims, therefore scheduling approaches have to be adjusted to fi t the required needs. We discuss the different techniques used to create these schedules, and provide fi rst results, suggesting that solutions from the AuScope VLBI network are on a similar level of accuracy as standard global VLBI sessions performed by the International VLBI Service for Geodesy and Astrometry (IVS).