After correlation, the raw astronomical data are either recorded to a DAT (digital audio tape) or are left on NRAO's servers in a special FTP (File Transfer Protocol) location that the observing astronomer can access in order to download their data to their home institution.

The output file format is non-standard and designed to be processed through several applications. Radio astronomical data is typically processed through application software knows as AIPS - Astronomical Image Processing Software - that was built by NRAO.