Standardized Space Telescopes for the Future of Scientific Discovery

Transformative science and exploration require broader access to space

telescopes

● Telescopes in space offer huge advantages relative to ground observation:

o Access to the full electromagnetic spectrum, much of which does not make it to the Earth’s

surface.

o Unaffected by atmospheric turbulence that fundamentally limits high-resolution observations

over wide fields, even with adaptive optics, and limits precision measurement, including

exoplanet transits and more.

o Unaffected by atmospheric glow that produces a foreground source limiting sensitivity, allowing

space telescopes to detect low-surface brightness structures.

o Not limited by the diurnal day-night cycle, and much higher intrinsic efficiency and operating

duty cycle.

● The current oversubscription of existing space observatories demonstrates the clear science

demand. A constellation of standardized space telescopes allows a broader range of observing

programs to be awarded, including new researchers and more high-risk, high-reward science.

● A standardized science instrument would address multiple research objectives. The ability to host

community-built instruments, with simple interfaces to spacecraft and mission teams lowers the

technical and financial barriers to participation, thereby increasing the science output across a fleet

of telescopes.

● While preliminary and spanning science cases have been identified, the most compelling and

impactful discoveries could lie in the unknowns that this paradigm-shifting architecture will unlock.

Implementation Strategy: A focused, startup-inspired team of fewer than 10 engineers developing

demonstration missions on aggressive but feasible timelines, with immediate funding for the first

pathfinder mission targeting launch within 2 years.

New opportunities are possible beyond existing telescopes and funding mechanisms.

● Existing space telescope funding mechanisms generally target individual science missions, resulting

in significant mission customization to maximize capability against specific science objectives

within the allowed cost and schedule.

● Space telescope development can benefit from adopting frameworks common for ground-based

telescopes. This approach creates a fixed platform combining telescope optics and observatory

infrastructure with standardized interfaces that accommodate focal-plane instruments. Scientific

infrastructure built almost a century ago continues delivering breakthrough science by updating

instruments using this framework.

The increasing commercialization of space presents an opportunity for the space science

community.

● Standardized optics, other observatory flight hardware, and spacecraft buses can reduce mission

costs.

● Telescopes designed to fit into economical launch envelopes, further reduce cost.

● Spacecraft bus hardware and ground station communications are becoming as ubiquitous as

internet infrastructure and are key enabling elements.

Standardized space telescope fleets can drive breakthrough discovery, democratize

access, and benefit from iterative technology development.

● Critical astronomy, cosmology, exoplanet, and planetary science questions can be answered using

the baseline ~1m UVOIR space telescope broadening access to transformative science and

exploration.

● Such a standardized space telescope can also complement existing capabilities and serve as a testbed

and pathfinder for future flagship telescope development.

Success requires focused, fast-moving, mission-driven implementation.

● To realize the first demonstration mission, a core team of less than 10 co-located engineers in a

dedicated facility is needed. Such a team must adopt a startup-inspired team culture and be prepared

to learn fast and implement quickly.

● The first demonstrator space telescope needs to be funded immediately. Timing is key, with laser

focus on a pre-specified and clear execution pathway with quantifiable technical milestones and

defined deliverables on an aggressive but feasible schedule. Having 1-2 successor telescopes being

planned in parallel will help moderate the natural risk aversion that comes with a single shot and

produce a team that learns and adapts while building.

Development should use a capability-driven approach, with targeted efforts in key areas

that enable broad applications.

● Leverage standardization and readily available subsystems to minimize non-recurring engineering

costs, optimizing for future volume production where possible.

● Pointing stability was identified as a top priority development effort since jitter acceptance levels

drive the spacecraft bus requirements. Many science cases that benefit from space-based

observations require pointing stability beyond that available from standard buses.