The Spallation Neutron Source SINQ is the biggest research facility driven by the cascade of three accelerators at PSI which delivers a proton current of 1.5 mA at a final energy of 590 MeV. Its commissioning phase being nearly completed, SINQ will provide cold and thermal neutrons at a flux level comparable to or exceeding that of conventional medium flux reactors. Its wide range of neutron scattering instruments will be available to inside and outside users. An ongoing target improvement program aims at doubling the available neutron flux and at reducing the radiation levels in the cooling plant room. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science B.V.