The High-Performance Antenna by OHB Digital Connect for the Radio Telescope

OHB Digital Connect today delivered the first of 14 new high-performance antennas for the expansion of the MeerKAT radio telescope, located in the semi-desert of the Karoo in South Africa. This deployment marks a key milestone in the international Square Kilometre Array (SKA) project, aiming to create the world's largest radio telescope. The unique collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy continues, marking significant progress in the field.

The antennas, specifically developed for integration into the SKA, have a diameter of approximately 15.5 meters. Their design is the result of close cooperation with the Max Planck Institute. The project benefits from international coordination involving industry and science partners, including China and Germany. The Karoo semi-desert site was chosen for its low terrestrial interference, crucial for radio astronomy observations.

The precision of the antennas' servo system, which allows for very precise alignment, represents a major technical challenge. OHB Digital Connect has also innovated in reducing radio frequency interference, an achievement highlighted by the filing of two patents as part of the project.