Astronomy is being transformed by surveys performed with instruments capable of searching the sky multi-messenger
signals with high speed and sensitivity, while delivering science-read datasets to the community. While radio astronomy
is not yet fully participating in this revolution, it is clear that an instrument following the same philosophy, that would
finally open up the dynamic radio sky for exploration, is not only urgent but inevitable.
ARGOS is a concept (TRL2) for a leading-edge, low-cost, sustainable European astronomical facility that will finally
realize this ambition, directly addressing multiple fundamental scientific questions, from the nature of dark matter and
dark energy to the origin of fast radio bursts and the properties of extreme gravity. ARGOS will enable, for the first
time, continuous wide-field monitoring of the sky at centimetre wavelengths, while publicly distributing science-ready
data and alerts in real time.
To make the strategic scientific need for such a facility clear and accessible to funding and policy bodies, a detailed
design study is necessary. This should include technical studies, community groundwork and prototyping, as well as
quantitative cost-to-benefit analysis, well-calibrated project budget, and assessments of scientific and socioeconomic
impact, sustainability, technological readiness and innovation needs. The ARGOS-CDS vision is to deliver a conceptual
design study to fully prepare the subsequent rapid implementation of a leading-edge public radio facility on European
grounds and ensure its optimal integration into the network of existing and future international astronomical facilities.
ARGOS-CDS will achieve this by directly addressing the aforementioned challenges via an integrated systems engineering
approach. The project will also produce cutting-edge science, big-data and artificial intelligence technologies
with significant scientific impact and lasting spill-over societal benefits.
