Better visibility, optimum data processing and a leading global position in the radio telescopes sector. The million injection of 4.6 million euros that Astron receives from the Dutch Organization for Scientific Research (NWO) ensures that the company from Exloo can continue to improve the LOFAR telescope.
“With this we want to show that you can develop, improve and make it more sustainable in science,” says director Jessica Dempsey. “With that we can also inspire other companies.”
According to Dempsey, Astron is the first Dutch scientific institute that aims to become CO₂ neutral. “With all the improvements that we make, we ensure that our footprint stays the same.”
“To look at the back of the universe, technological boundaries must be pushed. That means our scientists are on the border of what is technically possible,” says Dempsey. In the past, for example, the Institute also contributed to the development of WiFi, and the 7G network.
“Much of the technology we use is relevant to other research fields and specifically for communication systems,” explains Dempsey from referring to smartphones. That therefore, astron wants to get started with this is a logical consequence for her.