Would-be Astro-D observers will be given software aids that enable proposers to simulate Astro-D data and then to pass them to the same analysis system they would use if their proposals succeed. The simulations will be available to support the scientific justifications of all proposed observations. As mentioned in section 4.8, the simulation software will also be used to test the processing system itself. Anticipating that GOs will want a high degree of freedom in devising simulated data--e.g., the temperature structure of an inhomogeneous cooling flow in an irregular cluster--the software will be easy to customize, while the simulation of ``standard" observations, e.g. of a point source with a simple spectrum, will be performed ``off the shelf".
The software aides will also support the electronic submission of proposals, especially the usually tedious part of filling in forms, and allow access to non-proprietary data in the Astro-D database. For the review process the GOF will provide the review team with a technical evaluation of each proposal. Once a program has been selected, the GOF will coordinate with ISAS the merging of this into the Astro-D time-line.