  ESO is in the process of upgrading one of the two FORS (FOcal Reducer/low
dispersion Spectrograph) instruments - a multi-mode (imaging, polarimetry,
long-slit, and multi-object spectroscopy) optical instrument mounted on the
Cassegrain focus of Unit Telescope 1 of ESO's Very Large Telescope. FORS1 was
moved from Chile to Trieste, and is undergoing complete refurbishment,
including the exchange of all motorised parts. In addition, new software is
developed, based on the Extremely Large Telescope Instrument Control Software
Framework, as the upgraded FORS1 will be the first instrument in operations to
use this framework. The new Teledyne e2V CCD has now been procured and is
undergoing testing with the New Generation Controller at ESO. In addition, a
new set of grisms have been developed, and a new set of filters will be
purchased. A new internal calibration unit has been designed, making the
operations more efficient.
