  The Very Large Array Sky Survey (VLASS) is a synoptic, all-sky radio sky
survey with a unique combination of high angular resolution ($\approx$2.5"),
sensitivity (a 1$\sigma$ goal of 70 $\mu$Jy/beam in the coadded data), full
linear Stokes polarimetry, time domain coverage, and wide bandwidth (2-4 GHz).
The first observations began in September 2017, and observing for the survey
will finish in 2024. VLASS will use approximately 5500 hours of time on the
Karl G. Jansky Very Large Array (VLA) to cover the whole sky visible to the VLA
(Declination $>-40^{\circ}$), a total of 33,885 deg$^2$. The data will be taken
in three epochs to allow the discovery of variable and transient radio sources.
The survey is designed to engage radio astronomy experts, multi-wavelength
astronomers, and citizen scientists alike. By utilizing an "on the fly"
interferometry mode, the observing overheads are much reduced compared to a
conventional pointed survey. In this paper, we present the science case and
observational strategy for the survey, and also results from early survey
observations.

Instrumentation and Methods for Astrophysics;Astrophysics of Galaxies;High Energy Astrophysical Phenomena