21/07/2026 – The two Spanish companies will now begin the serial production of the 44 subreflectors they are manufacturing for the SKA-Mid radio telescope after successfully passing the First Article Inspection (FAI).
Spanish companies EOSOL and COMPOXI have successfully completed the First Article Inspection (FAI) for the contract to design and manufacture the subreflectors for the SKA-Mid radio telescope, currently under construction in South Africa. Passing this important milestone certifies both the compliance of the first manufactured subreflector and the robustness of the production process that will be used to manufacture the 44 units included in the contract.
The First Article Inspection is one of the most significant milestones in high-technology manufacturing projects, marking the transition from the design and prototyping phases to full-scale production. Over the past months, EOSOL, as the prime contractor, and COMPOXI have worked closely with the SKA Observatory to develop a product that meets the demanding mechanical and electromagnetic requirements established for the telescope and is designed to operate throughout the expected lifetime of SKA-Mid.
Image of the first manufactured and assembled subreflector - Credits: EOSOL
The subreflector is one of the key optical components of each SKA-Mid dish. Manufactured from composite materials and subsequently metallised, it concentrates the radio signals reflected by the main reflector towards the receiver system, playing a critical role in achieving the telescope's scientific performance.
According to Mikel Pinies, EOSOL Project Manager for the SKA project:
"The approval of the First Article Inspection (FAI) for the subreflector manufactured by EOSOL and COMPOXI allows us to continue with the production of additional units and to keep contributing our part to the construction of one of the world's largest radio telescopes. We would like to thank the entire SKAO team, the Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities (MICIU), and CDTI for their continuous support. Together, we continue making history."
The participation of EOSOL and COMPOXI represents another example of the valuable contribution of Spanish industry to the development of the SKA Observatory, providing advanced technological capabilities for the design and manufacture of critical components for one of the world's largest scientific infrastructures currently under construction. Contracts such as this reinforce Spain's role within the SKAO scientific, technological and industrial ecosystem and demonstrate the ability of Spanish companies to compete successfully in highly demanding international engineering projects.
Further information about this milestone is available in the original EOSOL press release: