The Square Kilometer Array (SKA)

The Square Kilometer Array (SKA) project aims to build the largest and most advanced radio telescope in the world, involving an unprecedented scale of global collaboration and scientific ambition. Spread across multiple locations in South Africa and Australia, the SKA will dramatically expand humanity's capacity to investigate fundamental questions about the universe, including cosmic magnetism, dark matter, and the origins of life. This case study examines the project's governance, and the intricate international negotiations required to coordinate scientific priorities, technological development, and data management strategies among diverse international stakeholders. Particular attention is given to how science diplomacy facilitates consensus-building and resource-sharing in a highly ambitious, multinational scientific undertaking.