Switzerland joins a radio telescope organization

On Thursday, the National Council approved full membership of the Square Kilometer Arry Observatory (SKAO) as the first councilor. That should cost almost 25 million francs more than originally approved. The council approved the deal by 162 votes to 0 with one abstention. The deal with a total of 33.6 million francs now goes to the Council of States.

View into the vastness of space With participation in the most sensitive radio telescope of the 21st century, it will be possible to explore the formation of the first stars and galaxies and to decipher some of the greatest mysteries in the universe.

For the radio telescope project, 130 antennas with a diameter of 15 meters are to be built in South Africa and 130,000 TV-like antennas in Western Australia. Switzerland wants to take part in this venture together with 13 other officially involved countries.

On September 16, 2020, the Federal Assembly approved a commitment loan of CHF 8.9 million for Switzerland to join the international organization SKAO for the period 2021 to 2024 as part of the Dispatch for the Promotion of Education, Research and Innovation (ERI) .

In the course of 2020, the responsible State Secretariat reviewed the current situation in Switzerland together with industrial actors and institutions interested in SKAO. This analysis has shown that only full membership would guarantee a satisfactory return on investment for Switzerland.

Secure participation by 2030
Since the approved commitment loan does not allow Switzerland to participate in the construction and operation of the SKAO beyond 2024, the Federal Council asked parliament to increase the loan by CHF 24.7 million in order to secure the financing of Switzerland’s participation until 2030.

With full participation, Switzerland could strengthen the international visibility of its companies, said Commission spokesman Mustafa Atici (SP / BS). In addition, Switzerland benefits from a guaranteed industrial return flow into its economy. SKAO is currently 83 percent financed.

Switzerland’s participation in international research infrastructures gives it direct access to experiments and the latest data. While the large international research infrastructures in which Switzerland participates are usually supported by a strong European core group, three large Commonwealth countries (United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa) lead the way in managing and financing the SKAO.

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