In a groundbreaking move, Surrey Satellite Technology Ltd. (SSTL) is teaming up with Schmidt Sciences to develop a large, privately funded space telescope named Lazuli. This telescope will feature a primary mirror larger than that of the famous Hubble Space Telescope.
On March 9, SSTL announced that it would provide the spacecraft platform for Lazuli. This platform will handle tasks like attitude control, propulsion, and communications, essential for any successful space mission. The telescope is set to launch as early as mid-2028 and will boast a three-meter-wide primary mirror.
Schmidt Sciences, founded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and his wife, Wendy, also manages the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System, which includes three ground-based observatories. When they introduced Lazuli at an American Astronomical Society meeting in Phoenix, they mentioned that they had identified vendors for essential components but didn’t name them.
SSTL has been a pioneer in small satellite technology for around 40 years, having built over 70 spacecraft that serve various purposes, such as Earth observation and communication. They believe that their innovative approach to small satellites can also apply to a larger telescope like Lazuli.
“While SSTL is known for small satellites, ‘small’ has always described our approach, not the size of the satellite,” said Andrew Cawthorne, SSTL’s managing director. He emphasized that their method—quick development, practical engineering, and the smart use of existing technologies—can work for ambitious projects like deep-space observatories.
The plan to assemble the spacecraft near its launch site in Florida will help streamline development. Schmidt Sciences aims to use off-the-shelf components that have proven themselves in previous missions. A launch from a Cape Canaveral pad, currently used by Relativity Space—where Schmidt is also CEO—is anticipated.
Although the exact value of the Lazuli contract hasn’t been disclosed, Schmidt Sciences mentioned the overall mission cost could reach hundreds of millions. This is about one-tenth of what a typical NASA flagship astrophysics mission would cost.
This initiative reflects a growing trend in the space industry: private companies are taking bold steps to fill roles traditionally held by government agencies. According to a recent report, private space investment has surged, reaching over $10 billion in 2021 alone, and it’s expected to keep growing. This increased competition is likely to drive innovation and reduce costs in the long run.
As the Lazuli project progresses, it will be intriguing to see how it impacts the future of space exploration and what new discoveries await in the cosmos.
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