21 October 2012, Yebes, Guadalajara — Last Monday, Ana Pastor, Spanish minister for Construction and Infrastructure, inaugurated a 13.2 m radio telescope in Yebes / Guadalajara. The radio telescope was designed, developed, and built by MT Mechatronics GmbH, a subsidiary of the European aerospace and technology group OHB AG (ISIN: DE00059361124, Prime Standard), and is based on the new global VLBI 2010 standard. The abbreviation VLBI stands for Very Long Baseline Interferometry and refers to a radio-astronomical method of measurement, which ensures high levels of positional accuracy required for astronomical and geodetic purposes. In this context, VLBI 2010 defines a new global standard applicable to the plants and systems used for observations. Telescopes complying with this standard must meet higher requirements, which apply, e.g., to the levels of accuracy, the speed of travel, and the distinctly higher frequency of observation. For example, the new standard requires one million observations per annum, i.e. a number that is higher by a factor of 20 compared to the requirement of the previous standard.

In the next few months, MT Mechatronics will build an identical radio telescope in the Azores as well as another device on Gran Canaria. “We look forward to continuing our successful 20 year old business relationship with the Instituto Geográfico Nacional”, said Thomas Zimmerer, Director of Business Development & Sales with MT Mechatronics, who established the business relationship. In Europe, MT Mechatronics is the market leader in the sphere of the construction of large radio telescopes.