South Africa is known for its differing topography, cultural diversity and natural beauty. Having a 60+ million population, the country is classified as one of the most developed countries in the continent of Africa, with a rapidly growing economy.
According to StatsSA, the total demand for infrastructure investment and maintenance from African developing countries is more than $900 billion a year. South Africa boasting the 3rd biggest economy in Africa, has shown interest in constructing mega projects to become more economically and socially advanced.
Numerous mega projects have been implemented or currently ongoing to meet different objectives ranging from energy, transport and sport facilities, among others.
A number of mega projects have been implemented or currently ongoing to meet different objectives. In this article, we will take a look at The Square Kilometre Array, an intergovernmental radio telescope project, being planned to be built in Australia and South Africa.
The Square Kilometre Array
The array telescope will reportedly be the largest radio telescope in the world, having an almost perfect view of the Milky Way and also the advantage of being developed in a position with minimal radio interference.
Conceived in the early 1990s, the Square Kilometre Array telescope will operate over a wide range of frequencies. After completion, it’s size will make it 50 times more sensitive than any other radio instrument.
The telescope will require long holdings with the capacity to exceed today’s global internet traffic, while at the same it should be able to function with high performance central computing engines integrated into its system.
It will require very high performance of the central computing engines, and long holdings with a capacity that is greater than the global internet traffic.
The project estimated to cost $2.1 billion, is expected to be completed in 2030, with construction scheduled to start this year. The construction and operation of the Square Kilometre Array telescope involves 14 countries up to so far.
