Raytheon, an RTX business, is developing a large-aperture telescope for the Lazuli Space Observatory, part of The Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System at Schmidt Sciences. Building on its work in adaptive telescope architectures, ultra-lightweight materials and digital engineering, Raytheon will deliver the largest unobscured aperture ever launched on a commercial platform.

The telescope's 3.1meter off-axis aperture—the diameter of its primary light collecting mirror—provides sharper imagery, greater sensitivity and expanded operational flexibility. The Lazuli Observatory is the first visible-light telescope made with advanced materials that stay stable and don't need time to adjust to temperature changes, ensuring accurate performance throughout its orbit. As a result, it can begin collecting high quality data rapidly, supporting both time critical observations and long duration monitoring.

"Raytheon is applying proven technology that brings the production speed, reliability and adaptability needed for the Lazuli Space Observatory," said Jeff McCall, vice president of Mission Solutions & Payloads at Raytheon. "Our large-aperture systems deliver exceptional capabilities, enabling a wide range of missions in demanding space environments."

The telescope uses auto alignment- technology, validated through digital twin simulations and advanced optical engineering, to deliver high-quality science consistently throughout its orbit. The system continuously optimizes optical performance without manual intervention, producing stable, sharp imagery. This on orbit-tuning will amplify scientific insights about distant planets, dynamic astrophysical events, the most distant cosmic signals and the evolution of the universe. Raytheon has completed an accelerated preliminary design review. The telescope is already in production, with delivery planned for 2028.

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