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Official Start of Construction for XDM 2006/11/02


On the 2nd of November 2006 a ceremony was held at the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory (HartRAO) to mark the beginning of construction of the eXperimental Development Model (XDM) of the Karoo Array Telescope (KAT). Delegates from government and the astronomy, engineering, educational and journalistic communities around South Africa assembled at HartRAO to celebrate the occasion.

XDM is a 15-m diameter antenna of novel design intended to reduce antenna cost per square metre and bring it close to that needed to make SKA affordable. IST Holdings won the contract to design and build XDM. KAT will be used to test technology leading up to development of the Square Kilometer Array (SKA). The South African Government is a primary supporter of the project, with the Department of Science and Technology (DST) being one of the key funding bodies.

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Anita Loots, KAT Project Manager, talks with the Director General of the Department of Science and Technology, Dr. Phil Mjwara.

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Prof. Justin Jonas, KAT Project Scientist, and Dr. Phil Mjwara discuss the KAT project. In the foreground is the Terrain Model and Site Plan for the KAT.

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Prof. Roy Booth, Director of HartRAO, Dr. Phil Mjwara and Prof. Justin Jonas share some amusing moments before the ceremony begins.

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Prof. Justin Jonas introduces the KAT Project, after opening address by Dr. Phil. Mjwara and welcome by Prof. Roy Booth.

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Anita Loots addresses the audience on the KAT programme, her quiet humour drawing smiles from her listeners.

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Following Anita's address, the KAT team present the Minister of the Department of Science and Technology, Mosibudi Mangena, with a photograph of the first radio astronomy image produced by their team.

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Minister, Mosibudi Mangena, admires the model of the KAT prototype which was also presented to him by the KAT team.

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Harry Coetzee, CEO of IST Holdings addresses the audience, his quick wit drawing a laugh from the Minister and the Director General.

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In his address Minister Mosibudi Mangena congratulated the KAT team on their achievements thus far and assured them of the continuing support of the Department of Science and Technology (DST).

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After an address on safety procedures by Andre Stander (Site Supervisor and Safety Officer - IST) the Director General and the Minister, attired in appropriate safety gear, set out with Harry Coetzee for the unveiling of the XDM model at the construction site.

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Prof. Roy Booth, Dr. Phil Mjwara and Minister, Mosibudi Mangena, enter the gates of the Hartebeesthoek Radio Astronomy Observatory accompanied by Andre Stander.

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Arriving at the construction site, Kim de Boer, Assistant Project Manager for KAT, snaps some photos, as Andre Stander, Prof. Roy Booth, Minister Mangena, Dr. Phil Mjwara and Anita Loots approach the gate (the HartRAO 26m radio telescope can be partially seen at left).

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Minister Mangena of the DST prepares to cut the ribbon for the opening of the the KAT prototype construction site.

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Another photographer catches this event as well...

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The ribbon is cut ! The site is officially open !

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Anita Loots ushers the Minister to the XDM model.

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Minister Mangena unveils the model of XDM.

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The model is revealed.

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Minister Mangena is impressed by the XDM model.

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The KAT team gather around the model for an official photo.

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