21.11.2024

Huber+Suhner supplies vital components for radio telescope

Herisau/Pfäffikon - Huber+Suhner from Switzerland has been awarded a contract to supply electronic components for the SKA Observatory in Western Australia. The low-frequency radio telescope being built in Australia is expected to broaden our understanding of the universe.

The electronics specialist Huber+Suhner with locations in Herisau in the canton of Appenzell Ausserrhoden and Pfäffikon in the canton of Zurich has won a multiannual subcontract for the delivery of electronic components to the antenna manufacturer Sirio Antenne. According to a press release, the components are intended to be used in the SKA Observatory’s low-frequency radio telescope in Western Australia. The SKA Observatory is an intergovernmental organization with headquarters in the UK. The telescopes SKA-Mid and SKA-Low will be located in South Africa and Australia. They will provide data to improve our understanding and to map the early universe.

Huber+Suhner will supply 150,000 components over the course of the contract. This includes SMB connectors, SPUMA 195 cables, and XQMA connectors for each assembly. These components enable critical links between the 78,000 plus antennas. Furthermore, they also enable links to on-site server stations and post-processing data stations in other locations.

Reto Bolt, Chief Operating Officer of the Industry Segment at Huber+Suhner commented in the press release: “Huber+Suhner has been designing and manufacturing microwave, photonic and antenna technologies, and enabling outstanding data transmission for the global space industry for decades. We recognize how this project has the potential of unlocking frontiers in science and deepening our understanding of the universe. We're incredibly proud to be working with Sirio (and the SKAO) and contributing to collecting this body of knowledge.” ce/ww