Gemini instrument upgrade program

Gemini Observatory is committed to providing its community with the best possible competitive instrumentation suite given technological and budget constraints. This paper provides an update on our strategy to keep our instrumentation suite competitive, examines both our current funded upgrade projects and our future enhancements. The Observatory operates 4 facility instruments plus 1 AO system at each telescope. Next year it will incorporate a new facility instrument, will start building a major workhorse instrument for the next decade, and will complete the upgrade of the AO systems. We also run three major upgrades of workhorse instruments and a long-term program to support user motivated upgrades. Gemini also expanded the use of telescope time in procuring new instruments and supporting instrument upgrades. We expect these approaches will allow the Observatory to continue to grow the overall capabilities while being even more responsive to community needs.