ISKAF2010 · International SKA Forum 2010

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is a 1.5 B€+ global research infrastructure that aims to build a radio telescope with a collecting area of a million square metres, fifty times larger than any existinginstrument. The telescope will be composed of a centrally condensed array of antenna stations that will be distributed on scales of up to 3000 km. The SKA concept was originally developed by European scientists and engineers, and has recently emerged as one of the two major priorities for the European astronomical community in the coming decade (via the ASTRONET Infrastructure Strategic Plan). In addition to advancing science in general, the SKA will also be a technological driving force in pushing forward Europe’s competitiveness in areas such as digital processing, computing, archiving, and research networking capabilities (on local, regional and global scales).The “ISKAF2010” hosts for the first time in Europe, the International SKA Forum 2010. The meeting will take place in the Netherlands and will be part of a larger range of initiatives and support events for which we also seek funding. The forum in 2010 will aim to bring together politicians, government ministries, the EC, national funding agencies, educators, scientists, and engineers from all over the world. The theme will focus on “SKA beyond Astronomy” and underline European participation in all aspects of the project, emphasising the potential benefits of the SKA to industry, business and society as a whole.