R1.9-billion for SKA telescopes
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) and MeerKAT radio telescope projects have been allocated R1.9 billion over the next three years, according to the 2013 Budget tabled by Finance Minister Pravin Gordhan on Wednesday.
A large portion of the international SKA project — construction of which is expected to begin in 2016/17 — was awarded to South Africa and its eight African partner countries.
“In the period leading up to the start of construction, South Africa will build the 64-dish antennae radio telescope, MeerKAT.”
The first MeerKAT antenna is scheduled for completion in the coming financial year (2013/14), while the full telescope and associated infrastructure is set for completion in 2016/17.
According to the budget document: “R1.9 billion has been allocated over the medium term [2013/14 to 2015/16] towards the SKA project, which includes MeerKAT.”
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