ASTRON, together with companies from Drenthe, is starting a project to connect with the ongoing renewal of the LOFAR radio telescope. The goal is to actively involve the regional business community in the further development of the telescope and the economic opportunities associated with it. The Provincial Executive is allocating €125,000 for this. The exploration runs until June 2026.
Renewal of LOFAR
ASTRON in Dwingeloo is continuously working to renew and expand the existing LOFAR telescope into an even more valuable, sustainable, and future-proof system. LOFAR is an international research instrument for radio astronomy, with an important base in Northern Netherlands. With the renewal, ASTRON aims to increase scientific possibilities. To achieve this, the organization continuously implements technological improvements, presenting a great opportunity to strengthen innovation power in the region.
Currently, ASTRON is looking at making one type of LOFAR antenna more sustainable by replacing the complex polystyrene structure with a more sustainable and circular material with less volume. This makes the product easier to transport, assemble, and recycle. For this, it gladly uses regional expertise in materials and production methods.
Knowledge and Entrepreneurship
Deputy Willemien Meeuwissen: “We want knowledge and entrepreneurship to find each other. By having focused conversations between ASTRON and entrepreneurs, a clearer picture of possibilities and opportunities for the involved parties emerges. This way, we strengthen both the knowledge ecosystem and our regional economy.”
Roelien Attema, Director of Research & Development at ASTRON, emphasizes the importance of collaboration: “ASTRON has an extensive lab facility where we experiment with various prototypes. For actual production of larger quantities of components for our telescope, we collaborate with industry. Given the complexity, these are preferably strategic and thus long-term regional collaborations.”
Next Steps
In meetings and discussions, ASTRON explores together with Drenthe companies how they can connect to the renewal of LOFAR. This collaboration works both ways: it offers companies the chance to explore a new market and get acquainted with ASTRONs technology and expertise, while the knowledge institute can position itself more firmly in the regional ecosystem.
The exploration lasts until June 2026. The outcomes will be developed into a joint proposal in which the possible contribution of Drenthe companies is further specified.