EQS-News

World's largest radio telescope – Listen to the universe

EQS-News: OHB SE / Key word(s): Miscellaneous World's largest radio telescope – Listen to the universe 21.02.2024 / 15:20 CET/CEST The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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OHB Digital Connect hands over first high-performance antenna for SKA precursor radio telescope in the Karoo semi-desert - unique collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy continues

Karoo / Mainz / Bremen, 21 February 2024 - It is designed to detect black holes, identify rapidly rotating neutron stars and take a look back into the past,when stars and galaxies were not yet born: The MeerKAT radio telescope with its 64 parabolic antennas in the South African Karoo semi-desert is now being extended by 14 new antennas. Extraordinary: The radio dishes are gradually being integrated into the SKA Square Kilometre Array, an international project to build the world's largest radio telescope with sites in southern Africa and in Australia. OHB Digital Connect GmbH, a subsidiary of the space and technology group OHB SE, handed over the first of the new high-performance antennas to the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy and the South African operators today.

"It is fantastic to see this first SKA antenna being completed. This is an achievement of partners from science and industry, nationally and internationally. And I can’t wait to see the first data from the antenna along with the rest of the array," says Prof. Dr. Michael Kramer, Director at the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy in Bonn.
“The new antennas have been developed explicitly with a view to their integration into the SKA. Mastering this technical challenge and developing the design of the new antennas was only possible thanks to the close and trusting collaboration with the MPI for Radio Astronomy. We are starting today with a design that we have tested in a prototype, which is already delivering the first, very compelling scientific images. We now have our focus on series production," says Fabrice Scheid, Managing Director of OHB Digital Connect's Mainz site.