We are deeply saddened by the news of the sudden death of Prof. Steve Rawlings (Oxford University). Steve made a major contribution to the activities of ASTRON ‑ until recently he was chair of the ASTRON Scientific Advisory Committee and a vocal proponent for the adoption of aperture array technologies in next generation radio telescopes, such as the Square Kilometre Array (SKA). Steve played a huge role in maturing the international SKA project ‑ both scientifically and politically. He was one of the main architects of the scientific case, chair of the European SKA Consortium and a member of the SKA Science & Engineering Committee. He had previously served as the international SKA project scientist and was active in the Science Working Group. His advocacy of the SKA project was absolutely crucial in convincing the various national funding agencies around the world to seriously engage with the project ‑ those
efforts recently led to the established of the new SKA Organisation Ltd.
Published by the editorial team, 17 January 2012
Steve was also a great deal of fun to be around ‑ he enjoyed life, was open, sensitive and caring ‑ he greatly enjoyed the company of others. He had time for everyone he met, and was a great mentor and role model for undergraduate and graduate students alike. His untimely death leaves many people here in Dwingeloo stunned, and contemplating a very heavy and untimely loss. Our thoughts are also with Steve’s wife and family.
Photo: Prof. Steve Rawlings, copyright ASTRON.