Launching the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams at Michigan State University: Opportunities, Challenges, and then - Science*

In May 2022, the Facility for Rare Isotope Beams (FRIB) commenced its science program affording its user group of 1,600 scientists discovery opportunities with rare isotopes. Designed and established by Michigan State University in support of the mission of the Office of Nuclear Physics in the U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science (DOE-SC), a team of scientists, engineers, technicians, administrators, crafts, and contractors delivered the FRIB project safely, on budget, and a few months ahead of schedule. I will present in 30 minutes an overview of this 14-year endeavor, from writing the proposal in 2008, to design, civil and technical construction, commissioning, and transition to user operation, followed by first experiments and results in 2022. And I will share some of the opportunities and challenges we encountered along the way.