The international Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project is aimed at the construction of the world's largest radio telescope, which is a hundred times more sensitive than current instruments, by 2020. A number design concepts are now in the prototype and demonstration phase; a selection for SKA's technology will be made in 2012. Irrespective of which concept is eventually chosen, the scale of the project will ensure the involvement of industry, in the design, construction and inauguration of the instrument.

ASTRON is working, as partner in SKADS, on one design concept for SKA: EMBRACE (Electronic Multi-Beam Radio Astronomy ConcEpt). This technology demonstrator will be realised near the Westerbork telescope.

The goal of project EMBRACE is to show that the system components can be manufactured at lowest possible price and therefore the development of the Advanced production technology is essential.