The National Research Council of Canada (NRC) has awarded a contract to MDA Space, a dependable mission partner to the rapidly growing global space industry, to support the development, construction, and integration of game-changing radio telescope technology for the Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO), an international space exploration and astronomy project that aims to advance our understanding of the universe’s formation and evolution.
The SKAO is the largest ground-based astronomy project ever attempted, uniting nations to construct and run a pair of telescopes for the benefit of world science. Canada became the tenth member of the intergovernmental organization, which also comprises Australia, China, Italy, The Netherlands, Portugal, South Africa, Spain, and Switzerland, today when it announced that it had formally joined the SKAO.
There will be hundreds of mid-to high-frequency antennas in South Africa and over 100,000 low-frequency antennae in Australia as part of the SKAO telescopes. As per their agreement with the NRC, MDA Space is going to create the Correlator Beamformer, a potent data processing engine designed to handle the huge array of cosmic signals that they receive. This technology will analyse signals hundreds of times quicker than usual computer download speeds by utilizing cutting-edge embedded computing technologies, providing scientists with quick access to vast amounts of new cosmic data.
Mike Greenley, CEO of MDA Space, stated, “MDA Space is proud to be contributing to this important international scientific endeavour that will listen and look out into space to expand our understanding of the universe.” “Projects of this magnitude, breadth, and importance offer a singular chance to highlight the know-how and inventiveness of Canadian astrophysicists, astronomers, and business while promoting fresh discoveries and technological advancements.”
“For more than two decades, the Canadian astronomical community has regarded SKAO as a paramount concern. It is truly thrilling to witness Canada’s involvement materialize,” stated Dr. Luc Simard, the Director General of the NRC’s Herzberg Astronomy and Astrophysics Research Centre. It provides access to innovative discoveries, state-of-the-art technologies, and societal advantages that will impart to us a lot about the universe we live in and how a large international family of nations can explore it together.”
