Lazuli Space Telescope to be world's first private space observatory

The Lazuli Space Telescope, an initiative conceived by former Google CEO Eric Schmidt and funded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, is set to become the first private space telescope. Planned for launch before 2029, the observatory will feature a 3-meter primary mirror, which is larger than the Hubble Space Telescope's 2.4-meter mirror.

The telescope is designed to operate from a lunar resonant orbit, allowing for rapid response times. It will carry three primary instruments: a wide-field optical imager, an integral field spectrograph, and an Exoplanet Coronagraph (ESC). The ESC is particularly significant as it will utilize reflected starlight rather than thermal radiation to observe mature exoplanets. This method allows for the study of planets closer to their host stars and provides a way to analyze planetary atmospheres regardless of the planet's age.

A recent study has identified 27 gas giant exoplanets as priority targets for the ESC to maximize observation efficiency. The Schmidt initiative aims to accelerate scientific discovery by applying a Silicon Valley-style rapid engineering cycle to astronomy, with a goal of building a network of four observatories—one in space and three on Earth—by the end of the decade. The project emphasizes open data and software to democratize global access for astrophysicists.