Standardized Space Telescopes for the Future of Scientific Discovery

Published October 16, 2025 | Version v1

Technical Report Open

Transformative science and exploration require broader access to space telescopes

Telescopes in space offer huge advantages relative to ground observation
New opportunities are possible beyond existing telescopes and funding mechanisms.
The increasing commercialization of space presents an opportunity for the space science community.
Standardized space telescope fleets can drive breakthrough discovery, democratize access, and benefit from iterative technology development.
Success requires focused, fast-moving, mission-driven implementation.
Development should use a capability-driven approach, with targeted efforts in key areas that enable broad applications.

Acknowledgement

Study Report prepared for the W. M. Keck Institute for Space Studies (KISS).

Sponsored by Renaissance Philanthropy, this Symposium is part of a program to democratize access to

tools for scientific discovery in space.

The research was conducted partly at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory, California Institute of Technology,

under a contract with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (80NM0018D0004).

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