Philanthropy may fast-track a flagship space telescope.

Schmidt Space has proposed the $500 million Lazuli Space Observatory as a privately funded, faster-built flagship aimed at rapid follow-up of short-lived cosmic events, with a planned 3–5 year development timeline.

Schmidt Space, a philanthropic vehicle run by Eric and Wendy Schmidt, has put forward a proposal for the Lazuli Space Observatory. The proposal, described in a recent pre-print, asks whether a private, speed-focused model can deliver a flagship observatory more quickly and at lower cost. Lazuli is planned as a $500 million project that would rely heavily on off-the-shelf components and streamlined decision-making. The design emphasizes fast response to short-lived astronomical events and technology demonstration. Key points: - The Lazuli proposal is presented by Schmidt Space and described in a pre-print report. - The project budget is cited at about $500 million and would use up to 80% off-the-shelf components. - The observatory is designed for rapid "target of opportunity" slews, with a stated goal of reaching new targets in roughly 1.5 hours. - A Widefield Context Camera using 23 CMOS sensors is planned to provide broad-sky context and help detect transits. - Instruments would include a Vector Vortex Coronagraph and deformable mirrors aimed at strongly suppressing starlight for direct exoplanet imaging. - The team outlines a 3–5 year development schedule from conception to launch. Summary: If realized, Lazuli would aim to add a privately funded, fast-response flagship capable of following short-lived phenomena and testing technologies such as a Vector Vortex Coronagraph, while complementing existing and planned observatories. The proposal sets a 3–5 year development timeline, and the next steps and formal approvals are undetermined at this time.