German mtex set to build 1,650-antennas for Caltech's Deep Synoptic Array

High-tech manufacturer contributes to one of the most ambitious radio astronomy projects

Wiesbaden (Germany)/ Nevada (USA), 27 August 2026 – German antenna specialist mtex antenna technology is playing a key role in the construction of the Deep Synoptic Array (DSA), one of the world's most ambitious scientific infrastructure projects in the U.S. The completion of the observatory is scheduled for 2029; the scientific operations are expected to commence shortly thereafter. The project is funded by Schmidt Sciences as part of the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System initiative.

mtex has started the production of high-precision antenna panels for a next-generation radio telescope array developed for Caltech. The project comprises 1,650 antennas, each with a diameter of 6.15 meters, which will form one of the world’s largest radio telescope arrays. The first manufacturing steps have already begun at mtex’s production facilities in Germany, laying the foundation for the delivery of these advanced antenna systems.

The DSA represents a new generation of radio telescopes: unlike conventional observatories, the system combines the signals from all 1,650 antennas in real time, effectively operating as one radio camera. The DSA will be capable of surveying the sky approximately 100 times faster than today's radio observatories. On its very first day of scientific operations alone, researchers expect to identify around 20 million radio sources with the DSA – roughly as many as have been discovered worldwide to date.

Designed to become a world-leading platform for deep-space research, the DSA will provide new insights into the formation and evolution of galaxies and advance research into black holes, pulsars, and Fast Radio Bursts. It will also contribute to investigations of dark matter, gravity, and the structure and expansion of the Universe. Such an ambitious scientific instrument requires high-performance antenna technology combined with reliable industrial-scale production capabilities. With its engineering expertise and industrial production capabilities, mtex is contributing to the development and manufacturing of the antenna infrastructure for the DSA.

"Our work with Caltech on the final design and now the start of production of the antennas for the DSA is strong proof of our expertise in designing and manufacturing complex antenna systems,” says Lutz Stenvers, CEO of mtex antenna technology. “It demonstrates our ability to combine scientific precision with industrial-scale production and strengthens mtex’s position as an international partner for highly demanding technology and infrastructure projects."

About mtex

mtex antenna technology GmbH is a German high-tech company headquartered in Wiesbaden and ranks among the world's leading manufacturers of advanced reflector antenna systems. The company develops and manufactures high-precision antenna solutions for applications in radio astronomy, satellite communications, geodesy, and space, supporting customers throughout the entire project lifecycle – from system design and engineering to manufacturing, integration, and long-term services.

The mtex portfolio includes the Space-to-Screen (S2S) Solution, developed in collaboration with German technology partners. S2S combines antennas, teleports, and terrestrial data networks to provide integrated ground-based infrastructure for commercial, governmental, and defense applications.With production and integration facilities in Hesse and Saxony, Germany, as well as a subsidiary in Albuquerque, New Mexico (USA), mtex combines German engineering excellence with international project expertise. Its technologies are deployed in scientific research infrastructures, deep-space communication systems, and advanced satellite communication networks around the world.

Founded in 2019, mtex combines the agility of a young technology company with decades of accumulated expertise from its team in the development and manufacturing of highly precise reflector antenna systems. The company has established itself as a trusted partner for demanding infrastructure projects where precision, reliability, and long-term performance are essential. The company's solutions support leading scientific institutions, government organizations, and commercial customers worldwide in advancing research, exploration, and secure communications.

About the DSA

The Deep Synoptic Array (DSA) will be a cutting-edge radio telescope array consisting of 1,650 dishes in a radio-quiet valley in Nevada, USA. In its five-year initial survey, the DSA will map the sky much faster than any radio telescope, current or planned, and detect over one billion sources. The array will produce images and transient alerts in real-time and will rapidly release science-ready data products to the astronomical community.