Square Kilometer Array telescope project in Northern Cape gets additional funding

In the dry and empty expanses of South Africa’s Karoo region, the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) Observatory (SKAO) is shaping the future of radio astronomy and putting the Northern Cape on the map.

Recently, contracts totaling approximately R1.2 billion have been awarded to South African entities for its construction, marking substantial progress in constructing the SKA-Mid radio telescope array.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project is a collaborative initiative across eleven countries, is poised to construct the world’s largest radio telescope, spanning Africa and Australia.

With an ambitious scale, SKA aims to deploy thousands of radio telescopes in three configurations, revolutionizing astronomical observations. Notably, the telescope promises 50 times the image resolution of the Hubble Space Telescope, concurrently surveying vast areas of the sky.

The radio telescope works by coordinating signals from all these radio dishes into a single image, effectively creating a giant compound eye that can see astrological phenomena far into the vacuum of space.

The MeerKAT telescope, a smaller radio telescope on the same model, serves as a pathfinder for SKA. The African SKA Human Capital Development Programme fosters expertise, granting nearly 1000 grants and advancing cutting-edge technology. As SKA unfolds, it not only amplifies international collaboration but also propels scientific discovery through groundbreaking capabilities.

At the forefront is the Power Adenco Joint Venture (JV), securing a R889-million contract for pivotal civil infrastructure work. This encompasses the development of roads, power systems, and fiber networks crucial for the SKA-Mid. An integral aspect of this contract is empowering local small, medium-sized, and microenterprises (SMMEs), with an estimated R100 million flowing into the region for SMME support, training, and employment.

The South African Radio Astronomy Observatory has also secured a noteworthy contract for software development, underlining the nation’s expertise in advancing the SKA-Mid’s technological backbone. Other local firms contributing to the SKAO initiative include EMCOM, VIVO, and Zutari.

In a nod to sustainability, individual SKA-Mid dishes will be powered by photovoltaic (PV) arrays, harnessing the energy of the South African sun. Hybrid power solutions, including PV, are under consideration for central facilities. Additionally, a low-frequency radio communications system is being implemented, fostering seamless collaboration across the site.

Ensuring the core infrastructure’s integrity, the SKA-Mid array’s land is now a national park, managed by SANParks. This monumental effort propels South Africa towards a pioneering role in constructing the world’s largest radio telescope, a testament to international collaboration and scientific advancement.