What is the impact of the global spread of the collaboration?
How does one contribute from 6000 miles away (from the US, Japan, Russia)?
The global spread implies that factors such as transport of components need to be taken into account during the construction, and that communication logistics play a major role. It also implies that scientists from outside Europe have to travel long distances to participate in the discussions and meetings, in the detector assembly and testing, and eventually in the operation of the experiment. They may have to spend extended periods away from their homes and home institutions. However all scientists are after the same goal in ATLAS, namely doing the frontline physics of the LHC, and they are willing to endure the above inconveniences to achieve that goal.
