Network
IFAE joins REDONGRA, a network to propel Spain’s role in gravitational wave astronomy
July 7, 2025
Gravitational Waves GroupThe Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) is one of the key partners in REDONGRA, the new Spanish Network of Gravitational Wave Physics. The initiative brings together 20 research institutions to coordinate Spain’s contribution to gravitational wave science.
Funded by the Spanish Ministry of Science and coordinated by Carlos F. Sopuerta from the Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), the network aims to strengthen Spain’s participation in major international projects such as LIGO-Virgo-KAGRA, LISA, and the Einstein Telescope (ET).
IFAE’s involvement in REDONGRA is led by ICREA Professor Mario Martínez and focuses on the development of the Einstein Telescope, a next-generation underground gravitational wave observatory. Drawing on its strong background in experimental physics and detector technologies, IFAE contributes to the scientific case, site selection, and advanced instrumentation for this ambitious European project.
REDONGRA promotes collaboration across the national research community and supports training, outreach, and joint participation in large-scale international efforts. The network officially launched in May 2025 and has a full calendar of scientific meetings and commemorative events throughout the year.
REDONGRA is composed of the following institutions: Institute of Space Sciences (ICE-CSIC), Centro de Investigaciones Energéticas, Medioambientales y Tecnológicas (CIEMAT), Instituto de Astrofísica de Andalucía (IAA-CSIC), Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC), Institute of Cosmos Sciences of the University of Barcelona (ICCUB), Institute for the Structure of Matter (IEM-CSIC), Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE), Institute of Physics of Cantabria (IFCA-CSIC/UC), Instituto de Física Corpuscular (IFIC-CSIC/UV), Institute for Theoretical Physics (IFT-CSIC/UAM), Instituto Galego de Física de Altas Enerxías (IGFAE), University of Alicante (UA), Universidad de Cádiz (UCA), University of Granada (UGR), University of the Balearic Islands (UIB), Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya - BarcelonaTech (UPC), Technical University of Madrid (UPM), University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), Universidad de Salamanca (USAL), and University of Valencia (UV).
Gravitational Waves
Spain strengthens its participation in major gravitational-wave infrastructures
December 10, 2025
The Spanish Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities has allocated new funding to Spain’s participation in major international gravitational-wave infrastructures, with the Institut de Física d’Altes Energies (IFAE) designated as the institution through which these contributions will be channelled.
Results
LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA complete their richest gravitational-wave observation run to date
November 18, 2025
The LIGO–Virgo–KAGRA (LVK) Collaboration has announced the completion of O4, the most productive gravitational-wave observation run so far, yielding an unprecedented number of candidate events and high-quality data for the scientific community.
Results
LIGO, Virgo and KAGRA observed 'second generation' black holes for the first time
October 29, 2025
LVK announced the detection of two gravitational-wave signals — designated GW241011 and GW241110 — that indicate the merger of binary black holes exhibiting unusual mass ratios and spin orientations.