Square Kilometre Array Observatory: a window to the cosmos

With sites in Australia and South Africa, the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) will have the world’s two largest radio telescope arrays. The construction project is managed and coordinated from the SKAO’s headquarters in Manchester (United Kingdom). Switzerland, which has been a full member since 2022, is involved in this project.

The scale of the SKA project represents a giant leap forward both in terms of technology and computing, allowing scientists to observe and measure the universe in unprecedented detail. It is hoped that scientists will gain new insights into the formation of galaxies, the role of cosmic magnetism and possibly even extraterrestrial life.

The SKAO was established in February 2021 as an intergovernmental organisation by seven countries: Australia, China, Italy, the Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa and the United Kingdom. Later, Switzerland, Spain, Canada, India and Germany also joined. France, Sweden and other countries are expected to join. The SKAO is the second most important intergovernmental organisation for astronomical research after the European Southern Observatory (ESO).

Swiss participation

A number of Swiss research institutions involved in radio astronomy are closely monitoring development of the SKAO. In March 2020, SERI mandated the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Lausanne (EPFL) to coordinate Switzerland’s participation in the SKAO. SERI took part in the meetings of the Task Force that finalised creation of the intergovernmental organisation. In 2021, Switzerland attended the meetings of the SKAO Council and Finance Committee as an observer. On 19 January 2022, it became a full member of the SKAO, thus boosting Swiss radio astronomy research and ensuring long-term integration at international level. Over time the SKA will become a key astrophysics project, complementing the activities of Swiss researchers at the ESO and the European Space Agency (ESA).

SERI is responsible for Switzerland's participation in the SKAO. It prepares Switzerland's official position and represents Swiss interests on the SKAO Council and Finance Committee.

Switzerland's participation in the SKAO enables Swiss industrial companies to submit bids for SKAO calls for tenders. Interested companies and institutions can obtain more information by contacting the Swiss ILO Office.