The Square Kilometre Array project is steadily moving toward operational status. Recent milestones show progress on the ground, a change in global leadership, and an expanding international coalition.
The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an international effort to build the world’s largest radio telescope array across two continents. It aims to answer fundamental questions about the origins of the universe.
In recent weeks, the observatory welcomed Professor Jessica Dempsey as its new director-general. She began her five-year term on June 1. A few days later, France officially became the 14th member nation of the project. This international growth parallels technical milestones at the two host sites.
Science commissioning has started on SKA-Low in Western Australia. This segment of the observatory is designed to detect low-frequency radio waves. In South Africa, SKA-Mid recently recorded its first interferometric observations. This process involves combining signals from multiple separate antennas so they function as a single giant telescope.
Canada officially joined the project as a full member in 2024 after investing $269 million which secured a six per cent share of viewing time. To prepare for the incoming data, Canadian institutions are building out regional data infrastructure and training early-career researchers.
In late May, several Canadian universities and the Dominion Radio Astrophysical Observatory held the inaugural Canadian SKA Community Day. The event featured remote talks and in-person watch parties focused on Canadian hardware contributions and early science goals. That same week, McGill University hosted the first Canadian Radio Astronomy Summer Institute and Extended School. The programme gave nearly 40 graduate students hands-on experience with radio instrumentation.
The Canadian Astronomical Society highlighted this momentum in its recent quarterly newsletter. The society stated that “National and international SKA activities will continue to ramp up in 2027, with the availability of the first SKA Science Verification data.”
The international observatory is also increasing its outreach to the global scientific community. A regular webinar series is now underway to provide project updates. The next session is scheduled for July 15. Astronomers worldwide are preparing for a community call for observing ideas expected in early 2027. Public release of the first calibrated science data is anticipated by the end of next year.