Operating the Square Kilometre Array: the world’s most data intensive telescope

The Square Kilometre Array (SKA) is an ambitious project to build the world's largest radio observatory. The Observatory will construct two telescopes: a low-frequency array (50-350 MHz) in Australia and a mid-frequency array (0:35 - 15 GHz) in South Africa. The Global Headquarters for the SKA is located at the Jodrell Bank Observatory in the UK. Once in steady-state operations, the SKA will have one of the largest data rates of any research infrastructure in the world. This paper describes the operational model for the SKA and the challenges faced by its globally distributed operations. The paper presents the modelling undertaken to better understand the workforce required to support the engineering operations and maintenance of the telescopes, and how the Observatory will interact and interface with a global network of SKA Regional Centres to support its scientific users.