NRF Annual Report 2018

PART B: PERFORMANCE
114
SAAO has helped the Entoto Observatory develop two
1-metre telescopes, and continues to assist Ethiopian
astronomers to develop their observing facilities and
university astronomy curriculum.
SARAO is responsible for the Africa VLBI Network. Over
the year in review:
• A successful Presidential launch of the Ghana telescope
took place during August 2018. Ghana is the first
telescope commissioned as part of the AVN project, and
seeks to develop radio astronomy as an African partner
country. The station successfully participated in another
European VLBI Network (EVN) observation session
and completed successful fringe tests with the HartRAO
26-metre dish during the financial year.
• The modification and integration work on the two-antenna
interferometer for Botswana, continued in earnest. Two
technicians from the Botswana International University
of Science and Technology (BIUST) visited SARAO
to gain knowledge on radio astronomy technologies,
systems and science.
• Initial renovations have been conducted at the
Madagascan facility. The country is ready to proceed
with the conversion project. Although Mauritius has
been identified to be part of the latter phase of the AVN
roll out, Mauritian stakeholders recently indicated the
possibility of co-funding for a new-build telescope, that
will be progressed towards the end of the new financial
year.
• The HartRAO site continued to assist with the
maintenance of collaborative equipment such as the
Russian Radio Astron VLBI satellite ground control. A
meteorological station, GNSS and seismic installation
has been completed and is being tested in Lesotho
(Sani Pass).
• Installation of the Russian satellite laser ranger (SLR) is
complete and initial tests have indicated that all systems
are functional and operating to specifications. All capital
and running funds are provided by Roscosmos. Data
collection has started and has been provided to the
NRF Annual Report 2017/18
international services, but is still in quarantine. The
station will be accepted as part of the international
network in the next financial year; and
• A number of staff attended a five-day workshop on
‘Radio Astronomy, Geodesy and Space Science”
in China, focused on building and strengthening
collaborations in radio astronomy, space geodesy
and related technologies between the South African
and Chinese astronomy communities. An MoU was
signed between SARAO Hartebeesthoek and Shanghai
Observatory for the installation of a Chinese-designed
and -constructed VLBI global observing system antenna
at Matjiesfontein.
Work to finalise the SKA Observatory Convention has
continued under the leadership of the Italian Presidency.
Progress with the development of the telescope site
Hosting Agreement between South Africa and the to be
established Intergovernmental Organisation (IGO). The
primary outstanding issue surrounding an acceptable
text for Convention article 11.4 (concerning Intellectual
Property) was resolved. At the time of writing, the position
is as follows:
• Following the Lisbon meeting, a finalised Convention
text (including the associated Protocols) has been
prepared. In addition, a ‘Final Record’ text has been
prepared;
• Delegations, at the request of the Presidency, have
approved the addition of Portugal to the signature block
of the Convention, permitting them to sign alongside
other States who participated in the Convention
negotiation;
• The Presidency has released the Convention text and
Final Record to all delegations, seeking their approval
of the documents. Once approval has been received
from all delegations, the Presidency will distribute the
documents to seek authorisation to ‘initial’; and
• Positive responses from almost all delegations have
been received. Activity to expedite the remaining
responses continues. 2.6. As agreed in the earlier
schedule, the intention is to move as quickly towards
signature as possible. Signatories at this stage are
likely to be South Africa, Australia, The United Kingdom,
China, India, the Netherlands, Sweden, Italy and New
Zealand.