A surge of private investment, spearheaded by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt’s Schmidt Sciences, is poised to rapidly advance astronomical research with four new cutting-edge telescopes. The initiative—three ground-based arrays and one space observatory—marks a notable shift toward privately funded large-scale science, potentially reshaping the future of discovery in the field.
A New Era for Space Observation
The most ambitious component of the project is Lazuli, a space telescope designed to surpass the Hubble Space Telescope in collecting area by 70%. If launched as projected by 2029, it will become the first fully privately funded space telescope in history. This is significant: while commercial space ventures have grown, few have prioritized pure scientific advancement to this degree.
Pete Klupar, Lazuli’s executive director, asserts the project will move forward at an unprecedented pace: “We’re going to do it in three years, and we’re going to do it for a ridiculously low price.” This speed is made possible by a streamlined decision-making process—Schmidt Sciences operates with a single shareholder, eliminating bureaucratic delays.
Lazuli will feature a 3.1-meter mirror, optimized for observations in near-infrared and optical wavelengths, and will orbit in a cost-effective lunar-resonant orbit. Key instruments include a wide-field optical imager, an integral field spectrograph, and a high-contrast coronagraph capable of directly imaging exoplanets. Scientists are optimistic that Lazuli will complement NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, accelerating the search for Earth-like planets around sun-like stars.
Ground-Based Arrays Expanding Capabilities
Alongside Lazuli, Schmidt Sciences is funding three ground-based telescope projects:
- Argus Array: Operational as early as 2028, Argus will survey the sky in visible light using 1,200 small-aperture telescopes, collectively equaling an 8-meter-class telescope. Its massive 8,000-square-degree field of view will enable real-time observation of transient events.
- Deep Synoptic Array (DSA): Set to launch in Nevada by 2029, the DSA will consist of 1,656 1.5-meter telescopes spanning 20 kilometers by 16 kilometers. This radio telescope will scan the sky in radio bands, revealing hidden sources like galaxy centers and black holes.
- Large Fiber Array Spectroscopic Telescope (LFAST): Composed of 20 scalable modules, LFAST will function as a follow-up facility, enhancing existing survey capabilities. Its innovative design eliminates costly domes by using individual cylindrical enclosures for each telescope module.
A Response to Shifting Priorities
The Schmidt Observatory System’s emergence comes at a time of increasing uncertainty for government-funded science. The Trump administration’s cuts to scientific budgets and staffing have created a funding gap, prompting private investors to step in.
As Klupar stated: “Between the congestion of space and the tightening of government budgets, a storm of possibilities is formed.” The private sector’s agility and efficiency offer a potential solution, promising faster development cycles and reduced costs.
This trend raises questions about the future role of public versus private funding in large-scale scientific endeavors. While Schmidt Sciences prioritizes “science for science’s sake,” other commercial ventures in space are often driven by profit or geopolitical goals.
The experiment will test whether a single, decisive shareholder can truly accelerate discovery, and if this model can be scaled across other disciplines. The project’s success or failure could reshape the landscape of scientific advancement for decades to come.
