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Shell won’t obstruct SKA bid - DST
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PDF Despite concerns that gas exploration plans could hamper SA’s bid to host the multi-billion rand SKA project – the Department of Science and Technology (DST) says there are measures in place to protect its bid.
Addressing concerns on the planned Shell gas initiative in the Northern Cape, the DST noted they were looking at the implications of the exploration – which would pose an immediate threat to the bid if there were any strong radio signals in the area.
Africa and Australia are currently competing in a bid to host the international mega telescope, which will be used to collect radio waves from space like planets, stars and galaxies.
The construction of the SKA is expected to cost about €1,5 billion and international SKA consortium is expected to spend close to €150 million on operations and maintenance of a large telescope, per year.
The department added that a management authority would make sure that legislation and its regulations were adhered to in an effort to protect the SKA bid and the MeerKAT project.
SA is currently building a precursor instrument near the site proposed for the SKA. The Karoo Array Telescope (MeerKAT), which will consist of approximately 64 dishes, will be among the largest and most powerful telescopes in the world in its own right, and will develop technologies needed for the SKA
The department also noted that the SKA project was protected under the Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act, which regulated the area’s radio interference and other aspects. The DST added it would look at whether the exploration was likely to cause any radio frequency conflicts with SKA and intervene accordingly.
SA’s Astronomy Geographic Advantage Act (2007) declares the entire Northern Cape Province, with the exception of Kimberley as an astronomy advantage area. Within that an area of 12.5 million hectares is protected as a radio astronomy reserve for the SKA.
The SKA will consist of approximately 3 000 dish shaped antennae and other hybrid receiving technologies. If the country wins the bid, the core of the telescope will be constructed near Carnarvon in the Karoo region of the Northern Cape, with outlying stations of about 30 to 40 antennae located in African partner countries.
These antennae will be connected via a data communications network to a data-processing facility. The combined collecting area of the SKA will add up to one square kilometre.
The Act also gave Science and Technology minister, Naledi Pandor, the sole right to regulate that zone so that no one could interfere with the signals.
