When a Spectral or VL Data File is created, it will be placed on optical disk for archiving and for distribution once it becomes public. Copies of all Spectral and VL Data Files will be kept at the DRAF and the Italian and Swiss Data Centers. In addition, proprietary Data Files will be placed in a directory at the EAF, the DRAF, or the Italian or Swiss Data Center accessible to the lead investigator for that project. If the investigator is not at one of these facilities and if the size of the data files is too large for access via ftp, the files will be sent on Exabyte tape.
When data enters the public domain, an investigator may request that specific files be placed on disk at one of the data analysis facilities, or he/she may request the data from NSSDC.