By: Kanto
Kai Okanta
South Africa is advancing
key components of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, with the
Engineering Operations Centre (EOC) at Klerefontein scheduled for launch in
November 2026 and the MeerKAT extension nearing completion.
The developments were
highlighted during a high-level engagement between the Director-General of the
Department of Science, Technology and Innovation (DSTI), Dr Mlungisi, and Prof.
Dempsey at the National Research Foundation (NRF).
The meeting focused on
international scientific partnerships and South Africa’s continued efforts to
strengthen its position in astronomy and radio technology.
A key area of discussion was
progress on the SKA project, including preparations for the launch of the EOC
at Klerefontein in November. The facility will serve as a central hub for the
maintenance of the MeerKAT telescope and the broader SKA-Mid array.
The MeerKAT extension is
also approaching completion following the addition of 13 new dishes. The
expansion will increase the telescope’s baseline from 8 kilometres to 17
kilometres, significantly enhancing its scientific capabilities.
The extension is being
undertaken in collaboration with Germany’s Max Planck Society and Italy’s
National Institute for Astrophysics (INAF), reflecting the international
partnerships supporting South Africa’s astronomy and radio astronomy
programmes.
The discussions also
reviewed progress on the construction of the SKA-Mid array, which remains on
track towards completion by 2030.
Once completed, the SKA-Mid
component is expected to comprise 197 dishes, strengthening the capabilities of
the continent’s major radio astronomy infrastructure and supporting scientific
research across a range of fields.
