In a significant advancement for Indian science and technology, the Government of India has announced its participation in the Square Kilometer Array (SKA), an ambitious international mega science project. With a budget of ₹1250 Crores earmarked for the next seven years, this move signifies a major leap in India’s contribution to global scientific endeavors.
The SKA project, set to be the world’s largest and most sensitive radio telescope, involves a consortium of countries. It is designed to unravel some of the universe’s greatest mysteries, including the study of cosmic dawn, black holes, and the search for extraterrestrial intelligence. The Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST) jointly fund India’s participation, with DAE taking the lead role. This project brings together over 20 premier Indian academic and research institutions, demonstrating a robust and inclusive national effort in cutting-edge scientific research.
India’s journey with the SKA project dates back to its inception during the design phase from 2014 to 2020. Indian scientists and engineers played a pivotal role, especially in the development of the Telescope Manager system, a crucial component of the project. With India becoming a full-fledged member of the SKA Observatory, the nation is set to influence the course of radio astronomy and related technological fields significantly.
The SKA Observatory, with facilities strategically located in Australia and South Africa and an administrative center in the UK, represents an unparalleled opportunity for scientific collaboration on a global scale. India’s involvement is expected to drive advancements in various scientific and technological arenas, including astronomy, physics, and advanced computing.
India’s role in the project goes beyond scientific contributions. The participation is poised to benefit Indian industries and research organizations, fostering development in next-generation technologies. These include modern antenna design, advanced cryogenic receiver systems, high-speed optical fibre data transport, cutting-edge digital signal processing systems, and high-performance computing. Furthermore, the project will catalyze advancements in big data management, artificial intelligence, and machine learning, providing impetus to India’s growing expertise in these fields.
The SKA project aligns with the Government of India’s broader commitment to promoting basic, applied, and advanced scientific research. This commitment is also reflected in other significant investments, such as the $140 million in-kind contribution to the U.S. Department of Energy’s Fermi National Laboratory for the Proton Improvement Plan-II Accelerator. Additionally, the government has greenlit the DAE-led LIGO-India project with a budget of ₹2600 Crores, further underlining India’s growing stature in global scientific research.
India’s participation in the SKA project not only marks a milestone in the country’s scientific journey but also establishes it as a key player in the international scientific community. It opens avenues for Indian scientists and researchers to contribute significantly to groundbreaking discoveries and technological innovations. Moreover, this involvement is expected to inspire the next generation of Indian scientists, engineers, and researchers, fostering a robust scientific culture within the country.
The SKA project, with its immense potential for discoveries and technological advancements, stands as a testament to the collaborative spirit of science, transcending borders and uniting nations in the quest for knowledge and understanding of the universe.
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