The Swedish contribution to the construction and operation of the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) radio telescope

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a radio telescope designed to be one of cornerstones of 21st century astronomy.

The first phase of the project, SKA1, will depending on frequency, be between 5 to 8 times more sensitive and 60 to 135 times faster at surveying the sky than the largest existing radio telescopes.

The SKA will tackle key scientific questions such as mapping the epoch of re-ionization, constraining the equation of state of dark energy, and tracing the evolution of gas content and magnetic fields in galaxies through cosmic time.

Theories of gravity will be tested using pulsar observations, and such observations will also be used to detect very low frequency gravitational waves.

The project has been highly rated by ASTRONET and ESFRI evaluations and is highlighted in the current Swedish national guide to infrastructure.

There is wide interest within the Swedish astronomical community in the science goals of SKA and strong involvement in the project via the SKA Science Working Groups.

Sweden (represented by Chalmers/Onsala Space Observatory) is a member of the SKA Organisation and has  participated in two of its design consortia encompassing a strong Swedish industry engagement. There is the expectation of Swedish industrial contracts during the construction phase.

This proposal seeks funding for the Swedish share of the construction and operation costs of SKA1, including for the required  e-infrastructure support in Sweden.

The proposal also seeks funding to ensure the delivery of key system components to the SKA1 Early Production Array and to ensure Swedish competiveness for industrial contracts in the construction phase. Finally the proposal seeks funding to develop key computing pipelines in preparation for SKA1.