The SKA (SA) Project Office has welcomed the inauguration of Stratosat Datacom’s Panel Manufacturing Facility, established to design, build and install 64, 13.5 meter Offset Gregorian deep-space telescopes for the MeerKAT project. The facility was inaugurated on the 4 November 2014 in Kempton Park together with SKA (SA), the Department of Science and Technology, General Dynamics Satcom Technologies and various South African suppliers.
Stratosat Datacom (Pty) Ltd as part of the Schauenburg International Group won the tender issued by SKA (SA) in 2012 Stratosat Datacom teamed up with General Dynamics SATCOM Technologies, global leader in the design and building of advanced radio telescope antennas, to install the MeerKAT radio telescope antennas.
The project, which forms part of the greater SKA project, required that at least 75% of the components be manufactured locally and as a result the Stratosat Datacom’s Panel Manufacturing Facility was established earlier this year in Kempton Park. It will manufacture the highly accurate reflector panels for the MeerKAT Antenna Positioners for SKA (SA).
The reflector panels for the first two MeerKAT dishes were manufactured at General Dynamics’ facility in Estonia after which the fabrication was moved to South Africa. The appropriate training and knowledge transfer is taking place and presently the panels for the 3rd antenna are being manufactured in Kempton Park. “This is a good example of intellectual property transfer and creation of local job opportunities associated with the MeerKAT project”, expressed Dr. Bernie Fanaroff of SKA (SA).
Another of the key objectives for Stratosat Datacom is to support the development of local fabricators into high quality suppliers. Stratosat Datacom will look to uplift the community in and around Carnarvon. Florian Schauenburg, CEO of the Schauenburg International Group expressed his enthusiasm with regards to community upliftment, "Our obligation towards the upliftment and empowerment of the local community in Carnarvon and surroundings areas, is going to be a rewarding experience to witness the future developments of small businesses in South Africa."
It is Stratosat Datacom’s vision that this facility will serve as a technology hub for the telecommunications industry to promote the further development of radio astronomy research by bringing new technology and skills into the country. The longer term intention is to manufacture panels for commercial antennas, locally and export them into other regions of Africa.
