Watching the Skies – £multi-million Contract Opportunities in Telescope Programmes

Date: Tuesday 28th July 2009Time: 5:00pm

Telescopes represent big business to UK plc…

Steel structure fabrication Actuation and metrology Drive motors & bearings Cryogen storage and handling Compressors Cooling engines Vacuum equipment Detectors Control electronics Safety & interlock systems Software IT Hardware Power systems Coating plants Heavy handling equipment Manufacture of large (>1m) optics Manufacture of small (<1m) optics Optical coatings Optical systems Consultancy Dome construction Civil works Transport links Signal processing and transport Data storage RF…

This list represents only a fraction of telescope “supply chains” and representatives of E-ELT and SKA, two of the biggest megascience programmes, worth approximately €2BN, will be at NETPark 28th July to showcase the opportunities. 
Extremely Large Telescopes (ELT) are considered worldwide as one of the highest priorities in ground-based astronomy. Professor Colin Cunningham of the UK Astronomy Technology Centre will take us through the programme and Professor Ray Sharples of the Physics Department at Durham University (and Director of the Centre for Advanced Instrumentation at the NETPark Research Institute) will outline the technology spin offs from telescope programmes.

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA), a telescope with one square kilometre of collecting area, will probe the gaseous component of the early Universe, thereby addressing fundamental questions in research on the origin and evolution of the Universe. It will be 50 times more sensitive than any previous radio imaging telescope.  An international partnership has formed to deliver the SKA by 2020 and Phil Crosby of the Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics will also discuss how companies can get involved.

And it’s also a privilege to welcome Professor Carlos Frenk FRS, Ogden Professor of Fundamental Physics and Director of the Institute for Computational Cosmology, Durham University's world-renowned theoretical cosmology research group who will treat us to a 3-D simulation of the how the universe might have looked in the beginning.

This event will provide many opportunities to discuss how the development of these new technologies can lead to new business opportunities - the aim of NETPark Net and the EKTN is to open up channels for advancement of technology and its transfer within the sector. You may have existing products that would gain value from these technologies or you may find new markets for products that perhaps were not obvious before.  This is also an opportunity for all to keep up to date with new technologies that can affect our daily lives.

Venue:NETPark
Date and time:28th July 2009, 5pm – 8pm including buffet 

Please confirm your place at this seminar by emailing events@uknetpark.net or calling 01740 625180.  A location map can be found at www.uknetpark.net