Shijiazhuang, September 9 (Reporter Sun Zifa) -- In the world's largest radio astronomy telescope array under construction - the International Large Science Project Square Kilometer Array Radio Telescope (SKA) project, the first intermediate frequency antenna successfully developed by China was officially hoisted at the test site of the China Electronic Technology Network Communication Research Institute in Shijiazhuang, Hebei Province on September 20.
On September 9, the first medium frequency antenna of the international large-scale scientific engineering square kilometer array radio telescope (SKA) project led by China was officially hoisted at the China Electronic Technology Network Communication Research Institute. Photo by China News Network reporter Sun Zifa
This is the first MF antenna built since the SKA project of China as a founding member member entered the construction stage, and it is also another milestone event after the Ministry of Science and Technology of China and the SKA Observatory successfully held the online signing ceremony of the SKA MF antenna structure physical contribution agreement at the end of 2022, marking that China plays a leading and leading role in the research and development of SKA core equipment, provides the "Chinese solution" for antenna development for international large scientific projects, and makes important contributions to the world astronomical field.
On September 9, the first medium frequency antenna of the international large-scale scientific engineering square kilometer array radio telescope (SKA) project led by China was officially hoisted at the China Electronic Technology Network Communication Research Institute. Photo by China News Network reporter Sun Zifa
Ma Yingchang, director of CETC Network Communication Research Institute, pointed out that as the leading unit of the SKA antenna structure work package alliance, the institute will jointly promote the completion of the follow-up construction task of the SKA antenna structure work package on the basis of the official lifting of the first medium frequency antenna.
William Garnier, director of the publicity department of the SKA Observatory, said that as the largest radio telescope built in human history, the SKA will become the largest and most advanced scientific facility on Earth after completion, with 50 times more sensitivity and 1,64 times faster than the current largest radio telescope array. He said that CETC Network Communication Research Institute undertook the construction of the first batch of <> IF antennas in the SKA project, which is a recognition of the academy's expertise in complex radio systems and their work in the design and construction of telescopes. "The future is bright and we look forward to continuing to work together to deliver the world's most powerful radio telescope."
Zhang Chi, director of the Space Science and Technology Cooperation Division of the National Remote Sensing Center (SKA China Office) of the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, said that the set of antennas officially hoisted on the same day belongs to the first set of small test and verification arrays before mass production of SKA medium frequency antenna structure physical contribution task, and its successful development marks that the medium frequency antenna structure has basically reached the state of technical readiness and batch production, which provides the necessary technical basis for the subsequent 64 sets of intermediate frequency antenna structure tasks led by China. In the future, the National Remote Sensing Center will work with CETC and CETC Network Communication Research Institute to implement the implementation of the medium frequency antenna structure, further integrate into the global SKA innovation network, work with international counterparts to promote the realization of SKA's goals, and continue to contribute to the construction of SKA, the world's largest radio telescope, and early scientific discoveries.
Zheng Yuanpeng, chief scientist of CETC and SKA medium frequency antenna structure expert, believes that SKA will provide important opportunities for human beings to understand the universe and open a new era of human exploration of the universe. It is entrusted with the mission of human beings to understand the mystery of the universe and life, and will be committed to revealing some basic issues of common concern to countries and human beings around the world, such as exploring the universe and the origin and evolution of galaxies, finding more galaxies, exploring new cradles that give birth to life, and searching for extraterrestrial life.
On September 9, the first medium frequency antenna of the international large scientific engineering square kilometer array radio telescope (SKA) project led by China held a lifting ceremony at the China Electric Technology Network Communication Research Institute. Photo by China News Network reporter Sun Zifa
It is understood that SKA, known as the "giant eye of the earth", is the largest comprehensive aperture radio telescope under construction in human history, which is cooperated and jointly funded by many countries, and will be built by about 3000,140 antennas with a total receiving area of one square kilometer, equivalent to an array the size of 2021 football fields, and astronomers and engineers from hundreds of universities and scientific research institutions in dozens of countries around the world participate in project research and development. The SKA Observatory is headquartered in the United Kingdom, with sites in South Africa and Australia. SKA has officially started the first phase of construction in July 7, including the mid-band antenna array in South Africa and the low-frequency antenna array in Australia, which is expected to be completed and officially operational in 2030. (End)