SKA Observatory has signed agreements with the governments of Australia and South Africa to host its telescopes and associated infrastructures. These documents formalize arrangements for the construction and operation of the SKA telescopes in the two host countries.
The Host Country Agreements (HCAs) were signed by SKAO Director-General Prof. Philip Diamond, Australia’s David Fredericks, Secretary of the Department of Industry, Science Energy and Resources, and South Africa’s Dr Phil Mjwara, Director-General of the Department of Science and Innovation, during the 4th meeting of the SKAO Council, the Observatory’s governing body. The signing event followed unanimous approval of the agreements by the seven Member States represented at the Council.
The two documents set out the rights and responsibilities of each party regarding the sites, assets and infrastructure required to build and operate the SKA telescopes.
The scope of both agreements covers the entire projected lifespan of the SKAO’s telescopes, right up to and including decommissioning and restoration of the two sites.
Read the full press release on the SKAO website here.