Current situation

The aim of the VIA-SKA project is to perform the feasibility study of the Spanish industrial participation in the SKA and with this aim is performing the following actions:

  • Identifying the technological niches in which both Spanish Industry and Research Centres may contribute to the SKA work packages, and those areas in which the Spanish science-technology system could benefit from such participation.
  • Establishing contacts with previously identified Spanish Industry and Research Centres to inform them about the SKA opportunities and the details about their possible participation.
  • Providing a Knowledge Base for members (Research Centres and Industry participating in VIA-SKA), which will be kept updated to the status and requirements of the SKA programme.
  • Interacting with Industry groups in other countries to establish strategic alliances for participating in the definition of the SKA work packages.
  • Promoting the participation (and eventual leadership) in the international consortia.

So far VIA-SKA has performed the capacity map of the Spanish industry.

VIA-SKA has been accepted as ESKAC member (the European SKA consortium). Lourdes Verdes-Montenegro (VIA-SKA Principal Investigator) is the VIA-SKA representative in ESKAC and José Carlos Guirado is the deputy representative.

Currently, the following Spanish organizations are participating in the organization of the International Consortia that are going to present bids in the Work Packages outlined below for SKA Stage 1:

  • Dishes (IFCA/DICOM-CSIC)
  • Aperture Arrays (UC3M and IFCA/DICOM)
  • Science Data Processor (IAA-CSIC)
  • Signal and Data Transport / Synchronization and Timing (Universidad de Granada)

Finally, CTAER and IAA-CSIC has presented an Expression of Interest for biding in the Power Work Package.

Here you can find some more information about SKA in Spain and the synergy between astronomy and green energy in Spain as part of a paper in the El Pais.

Credits