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Eosol and Compoxi will build sub-reflectors for the SKA Observatory

Eosol together with Compoxi will build sub-reflectors for the SKA Observatory, considered one of the largest scientific engineering endeavours of the 21st century.

Eosol and Compoxi will build sub-reflectors for the SKA Observatory
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This is a milestone for both Eosol (a company specialising in engineering services) and Compoxi (specialising in the design and production of composite materials), which will be responsible for building a large number of sub-reflectors for the SKA Observatory’s mid-frequency telescope – known as SKA-Mid – currently under construction in South Africa. This is the largest contract awarded to Spanish companies to date.

The sub-reflector is one of the critical parts of the dish that serves to focus the signals collected by the larger main reflector into a feed, where the signal processing journey begins. Each sub-reflector is a 4.5 m structure made of composite material and metallised to achieve the electromagnetic and mechanical properties required for the project.

“For Eosol and Compoxi to participate in this great project is exciting, as it means being part of one of the greatest scientific challenges of mankind and at the same time it is a great responsibility. We are really happy that SKAO has trusted us for this great challenge,” says Gonzalo Crespo, one of the SKA project leaders at Eosol.

The SKA Observatory is considered one of the largest scientific engineering projects of the 21st century. Countries on five continents are working together to build the two largest radio telescope arrays on Earth. In Australia, the low-frequency array, known as SKA-Low, will eventually comprising 131,072 antennas spread across 74 km. In South Africa, SKA-Mid will ultimately have 197 dishes (incorporating the existing 64-dish MeerKAT radio telescope) spread across 150 km. The SKA telescopes’ size and large number of antennas and dishes means there will provide a significant leap in resolution, sensitivity and survey speed, seeing more of the universe, and in greater detail, than has ever been possible before. The array design and processing capacity will also allow radio astronomers from all over the world to study different parts of the cosmos simultaneously by forming sub-arrays.

“The SKA-Mid sub-reflector is a technically challenging design; the surface requires high levels of accuracy and is a critical optical component to reflect the distant weak astronomical signal to the detectors precisely,” says SKAO Dish Project Manager Mark Harman. “It also needs to be very stiff to withstand the environmental conditions. We are very impressed with Eosol and Compoxi capabilities and are excited to be working with them on this project as we now begin to prepare for the construction activities in the coming year.”

The SKAO is part of new era in the history of the exploration of the universe. It will aim to answer fundamental questions in astrophysics, while providing benefits to society through technological innovations, and collaborations across continents and local communities. The radio telescopes are currently under construction, with early science verification expected to begin with partial arrays in late 2026, and the science capabilities growing as construction continues over the next six years.

The universe awaits us!

This contract is partially funded by the European Union – NextGenerationEU, managed by the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities.

About Grupo Eosol

The Eosol Group is a global engineering, monitoring and technical support services company with experience in more than 40 countries around the world. The aerospace division develops antennas and RF components for the space, defence and scientific sectors. We provide our customers with high-performance antenna solutions. The division covers all tasks related to the study and implementation of antennas and RF components (feasibility study, detailed design, prototyping, qualification and production).

For more information, please visit our website.

About Compoxi

Compoxi is a leading company in the design and production of composite structures. Compoxi combines advanced design, analysis, qualification and prototyping capabilities with industrial means that enable it to carry out serial production. Compoxi’s portfolio encompasses the design and production of primary structures for satellites and launchers for the space sector, structural components for aeroplanes, helicopters and UAVs for the aeronautical sector and critical elements for scientific and industrial structures.

About the SKAO

The SKAO, formally known as the SKA Observatory, is an intergovernmental organisation composed of member states from five continents and headquartered in the UK. Its mission is to build and operate cutting-edge radio telescopes to transform our understanding of the Universe, and deliver benefits to society through global collaboration and innovation. Its two telescopes, each composed of hundreds of dishes and thousands of antennas, are being constructed in South Africa and Australia and will be the two most advanced radio telescopes on Earth. A later expansion is envisioned in both countries and other African partner countries.

Together with other state-of-the-art research facilities, the SKAO’s telescopes will explore the unknown frontiers of science and deepen our understanding of key processes, including the formation and evolution of galaxies, fundamental physics in extreme environments and the origins of life. Through the development of innovative technologies and its contribution to addressing societal challenges, the SKAO will play its part to address the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals and deliver significant benefits across its membership and beyond.

The SKAO recognises and acknowledges the Indigenous peoples and cultures that have traditionally lived on the lands on which the SKAO facilities are located.

Cover photo: Composite image of the SKA-Mid radio telescope in South Africa, blending existing MeerKAT
telescope dishes (right) and an artist’s impression of the SKA-Mid dishes (left) – credit: SKAO

More information www.grupoeosol.com/en

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