IRAM
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1979
- HeadquartersSaint-martin-d'heres, France
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
IRAM firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- IRAM
- Legal name
- Institut de Radioastronomie Millimétrique
- Website
- https://iram-institute.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1979
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
IRAM industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Radio Astronomy Observatory Services
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Instruments For Meas & Testing Of Electricity & Elec Signals (3825), Laboratory Analytical Instruments (3826)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR) (IMABACAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Satellite, GNSS & Positioning RF ICs (HDAHAMAJ), Sensor Fusion, Interface ICs & Modules (AFE/Readout/Packaging/Calibration) (HDAHALAO)
Keywords
Where IRAM is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Saint-martin-d'heres
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
IRAM business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Operations, Others
Revenue model
- Government Funding: IRAM is funded by three international partner institutions: French CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique), German MPG (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft), and Spanish IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional). Access to IRAM facilities is provided free of charge to qualifying astronomers worldwide.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Free facility access for qualified astronomers |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
IRAM product offering
Product offeringCore offering
IRAM operates two millimeter-wave radio astronomy observatories — the NOEMA 12-antenna interferometer on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps and the 30-meter single-dish telescope at Pico Veleta in Spain — and provides the international astronomical community with peer-reviewed observing time, custom-built instrumentation (e.g., NIKA2 KID camera, EMIR multiband receiver, SIS junction detectors), data archives, and the GILDAS data-reduction software. Its in-house technology groups design and fabricate the superconducting detectors, cryogenic heterodyne receivers, and correlator electronics that make these facilities the most sensitive millimeter-wave instruments on European ground.
Product overview
IRAM operates two world-class radio astronomy observatories for millimeter-wave astronomy: NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimetre Array) - an interferometer of 12 x 15-meter antennas in the French Alps - and the 30-meter telescope on Pico Veleta in Spain. The institute provides these facilities to the international astronomical community along with supporting technology including the NIKA2 widefield camera (using kinetic inductance detectors), EMIR multiband receivers, and SIS junction superconducting detectors. Research services include a science portal for proposal submission, data archives (CDS Archive, TAPAS), and data processing software (GILDAS). IRAM also offers educational programs through its Interferometry School and 30-meter School for training astronomers in millimeter-wave techniques.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- NOEMA (Northern Extended Millimetre Array) An interferometric array of 12 individual 15-meter antennas located at 2550 m altitude on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps, combining signals via earth-rotation synthesis to provide unmatched resolving power and sensitivity for millimeter-wave radio astronomy. Available to qualified astronomers worldwide through a peer-reviewed proposal process.
- 30-meter Telescope A single-dish parabolic antenna radio telescope on Pico Veleta in the Spanish Sierra Nevada at 2850 m altitude, one of the world's premier single-dish facilities for millimeter-wavelength astronomy. Available to qualified astronomers worldwide through a peer-reviewed proposal process.
- NIKA2 Widefield Camera Widefield millimeter-wave continuum camera using Kinetic Inductance Detectors with 2,896 pixels installed at the 30-meter telescope; the largest millimeter-wave camera currently in operation, with lithographic retuning enabling 100% pixel yield.
- EMIR Multiband Receiver Multiband cryogenic heterodyne receiver covering multiple millimeter wavelengths for the 30-meter telescope, enabling simultaneous observations across several bands.
- SIS Junction Detectors (Superconducting Devices Laboratory) Superconductor-Insulator-Superconductor (niobium/aluminum-oxide/niobium) junction detectors fabricated in-house at IRAM's Superconducting Devices Laboratory, forming the sensitive core of millimeter-wave receivers used at IRAM observatories and supplied to ALMA.
- IRAM Interferometry School Educational program for PhD students, postdocs, and scientists providing hands-on training in interferometry and data reduction at millimeter wavelengths, with special emphasis on NOEMA. Limited to 40–50 participants per edition.
- IRAM 30-meter School Annual training program combining lectures on millimeter astronomy with hands-on observing at the 30-meter telescope, aimed at researchers new to millimeter-wavelength astronomy.
- IRAM Science Portal Web-based portal providing the astronomical science community with access to data archives, science software, technical documentation, and proposal submission tools for IRAM facilities; also serves as the European ARC node for ALMA user support.
- Proposal Management System (PMS) Online system used to submit observing proposals for the NOEMA and 30-meter telescopes, available twice per year, with peer review by an independent Program Committee.
- Data Archive Services (CDS Archive and TAPAS / Large Programs) Long-term storage and access services for astronomical observation data, including the CDS Archive for NOEMA and the TAPAS / Large Program archives for the 30-meter telescope.
- GILDAS Software Package Astronomy data-processing and analysis software developed by IRAM for reducing and analyzing millimeter-wave observations from NOEMA, the 30-meter telescope, and other observatories.
Quantifiable outcome
- 250 scientific publications per year using IRAM facilities
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use IRAM
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
IRAM technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
IRAM partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered major and core.
- University of Wisconsin-MadisonmajorFive-year collaboration agreement in millimeter astronomy focused on NOEMA. Aims to accelerate scientific and technological progress, exchange know-how and technical skills, and train scientists and students. International attention on NOEMA extends beyond European horizon.
- Event Horizon Telescope (EHT) CollaborationcoreGlobal network combining radio telescopes across four continents for black hole research. IRAM's 30-meter telescope and NOEMA are the only telescopes on European ground meeting EHT requirements. NOEMA joined in late 2018 as crucial anchor station extending baselines to Hawaii. Contributed to first-ever black hole image (M87, 2019) and Milky Way galactic center image (2022).
- Purple Mountain Observatory (Chinese Academy of Sciences)majorCooperation agreement to strengthen collaboration in Millimeter Astronomy, particularly NOEMA. Primary goals include promoting research in astrophysics, sustaining technological developments in terahertz domain, and training scientists and students.
- Nanjing UniversitymajorCooperation agreement with one of China's most prestigious universities. School of Astronomy and Space Sciences runs multiple scientific research projects with IRAM. Joint efforts in millimeter astronomy and technology development.
- ALMA (Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array)coreIRAM is a major partner in ALMA project (64-antenna giant radio observatory in Chilean Atacama desert). Led design/construction of Band 7 cartridges (73 delivered), receiver optics, calibration units, backend digitizer clocks, telescope calibration software. Established ALMA user support center as node of European ARC.
- IGN (Instituto Geográfico Nacional)coreSpanish Instituto Geográfico Nacional. Initially associate member (1979), became full member in 1990. Provides support for IRAM's Spanish operations including the 30-meter telescope at Pico Veleta.
- CNRS (Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique)coreFrench National Centre for Scientific Research. Founding member of IRAM (1979). Primary funder providing significant operational and research support for the institute and its observatories.
- MPG (Max-Planck-Gesellschaft)coreMax Planck Society. Founding member of IRAM (1979). German partner providing major funding and scientific leadership for the institute's research and technology programs.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
IRAM competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA): 64-antenna millimeter-wave interferometer in Chile; IRAM is a major technology partner (Band 7 cartridges, receiver optics, software). Directly competes for mm-wave astronomy proposal time, while technically overlapping in instrumentation.
- Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON): Operates the Westerbork Synthesis Radio Telescope and LOFAR, and is a key partner in SKA. Comparable as a national radio astronomy institute with strong instrumentation R&D and a global user community.
- National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO): Operates major US radio astronomy facilities including the VLA and VLBA, providing comparable telescope-based research services to the global astronomy community. The closest functional peer to IRAM as a multi-facility radio observatory operator in a different geography.
- Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (University of Manchester): UK-based radio astronomy center operating the Lovell Telescope and e-MERLIN array, with deep VLBI heritage. Closely comparable in operating model (university-hosted, multi-instrument radio facilities) and user community.
Emerging players
- Canadian Institute for Radio Astronomy (CITA) / CHIME: CHIME radio telescope at DRAO in British Columbia is a leading new radio survey instrument. Comparable in producing high-impact astronomical data products and developing novel receiver technology for radio astronomy.
- Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO): Next-generation intercontinental radio interferometer under construction in Australia and South Africa. Represents the future of large-scale radio astronomy; overlap with IRAM in user community and technology, though it targets lower frequencies.
Broad incumbents
- European Southern Observatory (ESO): Intergovernmental astronomy organization operating multiple ground-based observatories across optical, infrared, and increasingly mm/radio wavelengths. ESO is a broader incumbent with overlapping European funding sources and user communities.
- Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR): German radio astronomy research institute; IRAM is co-funded by MPG. MPIfR operates the Effelsberg 100-meter telescope and contributes to global VLBI networks, overlapping in scientific mission and funding constituency.
Regional players
- Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI): Korean national astronomy institute operating the KVN (Korean VLBI Network) and contributing to global VLBI. Similar in being a publicly funded national institute operating radio facilities for an international user community.
- CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science: Australian government's astronomy division operating the Australia Telescope Compact Array and the Parkes radio telescope. Comparable as a publicly funded national radio observatory operator in the Southern Hemisphere.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
IRAM social profiles
Digital presenceIRAM financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
IRAM leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
IRAM funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
IRAM M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about IRAM
What does IRAM do?
IRAM operates two millimeter-wave radio astronomy observatories — the NOEMA 12-antenna interferometer on the Plateau de Bure in the French Alps and the 30-meter single-dish telescope at Pico Veleta in Spain — and provides the international astronomical community with peer-reviewed observing time, custom-built instrumentation (e.g., NIKA2 KID camera, EMIR multiband receiver, SIS junction detectors), data archives, and the GILDAS data-reduction software. Its in-house technology groups design and fabricate the superconducting detectors, cryogenic heterodyne receivers, and correlator electronics that make these facilities the most sensitive millimeter-wave instruments on European ground.
Is IRAM a public or private company?
IRAM is a private company. It is classified as state government owned and is currently operating.
When was IRAM founded?
IRAM was founded in 1979. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is IRAM based?
IRAM is headquartered in Saint-martin-d'heres, France, in the Europe region.
How does IRAM make money?
One revenue line is on record: government Funding.
Who are IRAM's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA), Netherlands Institute for Radio Astronomy (ASTRON), National Radio Astronomy Observatory (NRAO) and Jodrell Bank Centre for Astrophysics (University of Manchester). Emerging players are Canadian Institute for Radio Astronomy (CITA) / CHIME and Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO). Broad incumbents are European Southern Observatory (ESO) and Max Planck Institute for Radio Astronomy (MPIfR). Regional players are Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) and CSIRO Astronomy and Space Science.
Does IRAM have an API?
No public API is recorded for IRAM.
What industry is IRAM in?
IRAM's product category is Radio Astronomy Observatory Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAD, Space Payloads & Instruments (Sensors, Comms, EO/IR), with a secondary code of HDAHAMAJ, Satellite, GNSS & Positioning RF ICs. Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.