Federal Council approves Swiss membership of the international SKA Observatory

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), the most sensitive radio telescope to date, will allow researchers to study the formation of the first stars and galaxies. Operation of the telescope is to be managed by the international Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO) organisation. The Federal Council decided on 17 December that Switzerland will join the SKAO, following Parliament's decision to provide the funding necessary for full membership by 2030. As part of the 2021-2024 ERI Dispatch, the Federal Assembly approved a guarantee credit of CHF 8.9 million for Switzerland to join the SKAO. SERI later carried out an analysis in conjunction with Swiss industry and research stakeholders having an interest in the SKAO. The results showed that only full membership would guarantee a satisfactory return on investment for the country. The Federal Council therefore requested that Parliament approve a further CHF 24.7 million to fund Swiss participation in the construction and operation of the SKAO until 2030.