Thirty Meter Telescope
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2014
- HeadquartersPasadena, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
Thirty Meter Telescope firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Thirty Meter Telescope
- Legal name
- TMT International Observatory
- Website
- https://tmt.org
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2014
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Thirty Meter Telescope industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Astronomical observatory and optical-infrared research infrastructure
- NAICS
- Space Research and Technology (92711)
- SIC
- Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827), Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT) (IMABACAK)
Keywords
Where Thirty Meter Telescope is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pasadena
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices13 records
Markets served
Thirty Meter Telescope business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations
Revenue model
- International Consortium Funding: TMT is funded through an international partnership consortium with contributions from member institutions and governments of the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and India, plus associate participation from AURA.
- NSF and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grants: Major funding provided by the Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation and the National Science Foundation for design, development, and construction phases.
- Telescope Access and Observations: Scientific observatory providing telescope access to astronomers worldwide through a proposal and time allocation system.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels8 records
Thirty Meter Telescope product offering
Product offeringCore offering
The Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory is constructing and will operate a next-generation ground-based optical-infrared astronomical observatory centered on a 30-meter segmented primary mirror (492 hexagonal CLEARCERAM-Z segments) paired with multi-conjugate adaptive optics (NFIRAOS, LGSF) and three first-light science instruments (IRIS, MODHIS, WFOS). Once operational, TMT will allocate observing time through a peer-reviewed proposal system to the global astronomy community, enabling 156x the light-gathering power and 13x the resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope. The observatory's preferred site is Maunakea, Hawai'i, with La Palma, Spain under active consideration as an alternative site.
Product overview
The Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) International Observatory is a next-generation astronomical observatory comprising the main telescope system and multiple specialized first-light instruments. The observatory features a 30-meter segmented primary mirror made of 492 hexagonal mirror segments with 82 spares. First-light instruments include NFIRAOS (adaptive optics system), IRIS (near-infrared imaging spectrograph), MODHIS (high-resolution infrared spectrograph), and WFOS (wide-field optical spectrograph). The LGSF (Laser Guide Star Facility) supports adaptive optics correction. The TMT will provide 156 times the light-gathering power and 13 times the resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Thirty Meter Telescope (TMT) A next-generation astronomical observatory featuring a 30-meter segmented primary mirror for optical-infrared observations, with preferred site on Maunakea in Hawai'i and alternative consideration of La Palma, Spain. It will provide observing time to the global astronomy community through a peer-reviewed proposal-based allocation system.
- NFIRAOS (Narrow Field Infrared Adaptive Optics System) Facility adaptive optics system removing atmospheric blurring to provide diffraction-limited infrared performance; first-light AO system for TMT.
- IRIS (InfraRed Imaging Spectrograph) First-light near-infrared (0.84-2.4 µm) imaging spectrograph with an integral field spectrograph (R~4000) and a 34"x34" imager, achieving angular resolution 10x better than the Hubble Space Telescope.
- MODHIS (Multi-Object Diffraction-limited High-resolution Infrared Spectrograph) First-light instrument mounted on NFIRAOS, providing diffraction-limited high-resolution infrared spectroscopy of astronomical objects.
- WFOS (Wide Field Optical Spectrograph) Seeing-limited multi-object optical spectrograph offering imaging, longslit spectroscopy, and the ability to rapidly configure for 96 individual spectra with the highest throughput of any ELT.
- LGSF (Laser Guide Star Facility) Facility projecting powerful laser beams into Earth's upper atmosphere to generate artificial stars used by NFIRAOS to correct atmospheric turbulence, with eight laser units capable of projecting four distinct LGS asterisms.
- TMT Primary Mirror Segment Assembly Hexagonal 1.44-meter primary mirror segments made of CLEARCERAM-Z zero thermal-expansion glass, each with 21 actuators for fine tuning and edge sensors for precise positioning; 492 segments (plus 82 spares) comprise the full 30-meter primary mirror.
- TMT Tertiary Mirror (Giant Steerable Science Mirror, GSSM) 3.5m by 2.5m flat elliptical tertiary mirror with support system and rigid body positioner, enabling rapid instrument switching; developed by the Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics.
Quantifiable outcome
- 156x light-gathering power vs Hubble Space Telescope
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Thirty Meter Telescope
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Thirty Meter Telescope technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature11 records
Thirty Meter Telescope partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
17 partnerships are on record, tiered core, minor and major.
- California Institute of Technology (Caltech)coreFounding member of TMT International Observatory. Caltech contributes to telescope design, instrumentation development, and hosts the project office in Pasadena.
- University of CaliforniacoreFounding member of TMT International Observatory. UC system contributes scientists, engineers, and resources across multiple campuses including UCLA, UCSD, and UCSC for instrumentation.
- National Institutes of Natural Sciences of JapancoreFull member providing telescope structure design, mirror blank production (60+ blanks from OHARA), and engineering expertise through NAOJ.
- National Astronomical Observatories of ChinacoreFull member contributing tertiary mirror (GSSM) development through CIOMP, laser guide star systems, and articulated mirror design.
- Department of Science and Technology of IndiacoreFull member providing mirror segment support assembly manufacturing through L&T, software development, and optical fabrication facility (ITOFF) in India.
- National Research Council Canada (NRC)coreFull member contributing up to $243.5 million, adaptive optics facility (NFIRAOS), and telescope enclosure design through Dynamic Structures.
- Association of Universities for Research in Astronomy (AURA)minorTIO Associate providing connection to US astronomical community and supporting US-ELTP coordination.
- Dynamic Structures Ltd.majorCanadian company awarded $10 million contract for final design and production readiness of the telescope enclosure. Developed innovative calotte-shaped enclosure design.
- ThoughtWorks TechnologiesmajorSelected in October 2016 to implement TMT Common Software (CSW) for observatory-wide software systems. Development conducted in Pune, India.
- Advanced Mechanical and Optical Systems (AMOS)majorBelgian company responsible for Secondary Mirror Support System and Positioner (M2SSP) design and manufacturing.
- Coherent, Inc.majorCalifornia-based company selected for hexagonal cutting of US allocation of primary mirror segments. Provides precision optics and photonic solutions.
- Canon Inc.majorJapanese company providing surface polishing of mirror segments at factory in Utsunomiya, working with NAOJ on polishing process.
- OHARA Inc.coreJapanese company producing CLEARCERAM-Z zero thermal-expansion glass mirror blanks for TMT's 492 primary mirror segments.
- Sev1Tech Inc.minorIT consulting firm engaged for Communications and Information Systems (CIS) conceptual design, network and security requirements.
- Changchun Institute of Optics, Fine Mechanics and Physics (CIOMP)majorChinese Academy of Sciences institute responsible for tertiary mirror (GSSM) design, fabrication, and testing. Completed prototype in 2017 and entered production phase.
- Indian Institute of AstrophysicsmajorIndian institute leading TMT coordination activities including India TMT Coordination Center (ITCC) and software development.
- Mitsubishi Electric CorporationmajorJapanese company responsible for telescope structure design in collaboration with NAOJ. Hosted design review meetings in Amagasaki.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Thirty Meter Telescope competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- European Southern Observatory (E-ELT): The European Southern Observatory is building the 39-meter Extremely Large Telescope in Chile, the most direct competitor to TMT as a next-generation ground-based ELT. Same product category (30m-class optical/IR observatory), same target customer base (global astronomy community), same delivery mechanism (open-access peer-reviewed proposal system), but in the Southern Hemisphere.
- Giant Magellan Telescope Organization (GMT): GMTO is constructing the 25.4-meter Giant Magellan Telescope in Chile, another flagship ELT-class ground-based observatory with a US-led international consortium. Directly comparable to TMT in mirror technology, science mission, partner structure, and target science community.
- W. M. Keck Observatory: Keck operates the twin 10-meter Keck telescopes on Mauna Kea, currently the largest optical/IR telescopes in the same Northern Hemisphere site that TMT is targeting. Direct peer in location, customer base (Caltech, UC, NASA, astronomers), and science mission; TMT represents the next-generation successor to the Keck model.
- Subaru Telescope (NAOJ): Subaru is the 8.2-meter flagship optical/IR telescope operated by Japan's National Astronomical Observatory on Mauna Kea. A direct peer and TMT partner: NAOJ is a TMT full member, and Subaru serves as a precursor and technology pathfinder for TMT's adaptive optics and instrumentation program.
- Vera C. Rubin Observatory: Rubin Observatory (formerly LSST) is building an 8.4m wide-field survey telescope in Chile, an emerging next-generation ground-based optical observatory with similar international funding structure and open-access time allocation. Comparable as a flagship optical astronomy facility addressing complementary science cases (time-domain, survey) to TMT's deep pointed observations.
- Large Binocular Telescope (LBT): LBT operates two 8.4-meter mirrors on a single mount in Arizona, representing the prior generation of large-aperture optical/IR telescopes. Comparable to TMT as a flagship optical/IR facility with international partnership structure, AO-driven instrument suite, and similar target science community.
Broad incumbents
- NASA / James Webb Space Telescope (JWST): NASA operates the James Webb Space Telescope, a 6.5m space-based infrared observatory that TMT's IRIS and MODHIS instruments are benchmarked against (10x better angular resolution than Hubble/JWST-class). A broad incumbent in next-generation astronomy, but operating from space rather than the ground.
- Hubble Space Telescope (NASA/ESA): Hubble is the long-running 2.4m space-based optical/UV/IR observatory that serves as TMT's primary benchmark (TMT promises 156x light-gathering and 13x resolving power of Hubble). A broad incumbent in flagship optical/IR astronomy, but as a space-based observatory its end of life is approaching.
Emerging players
- Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA): ALMA is a 66-antenna millimeter/submillimeter interferometer in Chile, an international observatory with comparable multinational funding and governance model. Partially overlapping target science (early universe, galaxy formation) and overlapping partner nations, but operating in a different wavelength regime.
- Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO): SKAO is building the world's largest radio telescope across South Africa and Australia, an intergovernmental observatory with similar 50+ year design horizon and multinational governance model. Comparable as a next-generation flagship observatory project, but in radio rather than optical/IR.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Thirty Meter Telescope social profiles
Digital presenceThirty Meter Telescope financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Thirty Meter Telescope leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles15 records
Thirty Meter Telescope funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
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Thirty Meter Telescope M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Thirty Meter Telescope
What does Thirty Meter Telescope do?
The Thirty Meter Telescope International Observatory is constructing and will operate a next-generation ground-based optical-infrared astronomical observatory centered on a 30-meter segmented primary mirror (492 hexagonal CLEARCERAM-Z segments) paired with multi-conjugate adaptive optics (NFIRAOS, LGSF) and three first-light science instruments (IRIS, MODHIS, WFOS). Once operational, TMT will allocate observing time through a peer-reviewed proposal system to the global astronomy community, enabling 156x the light-gathering power and 13x the resolving power of the Hubble Space Telescope. The observatory's preferred site is Maunakea, Hawai'i, with La Palma, Spain under active consideration as an alternative site.
Is Thirty Meter Telescope a public or private company?
Thirty Meter Telescope is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was Thirty Meter Telescope founded?
Thirty Meter Telescope was founded in 2014. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Thirty Meter Telescope based?
Thirty Meter Telescope is headquartered in Pasadena, United States, in the North America region.
How does Thirty Meter Telescope make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. International Consortium Funding is the primary driver. The others are NSF and Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation Grants and telescope Access and Observations.
Who are Thirty Meter Telescope's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are European Southern Observatory (E-ELT), Giant Magellan Telescope Organization (GMT), W. M. Keck Observatory, Subaru Telescope (NAOJ), Vera C. Rubin Observatory and Large Binocular Telescope (LBT). Broad incumbents are NASA / James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) and Hubble Space Telescope (NASA/ESA). Emerging players are Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) and Square Kilometre Array Observatory (SKAO).
Does Thirty Meter Telescope have an API?
No public API is recorded for Thirty Meter Telescope.
What industry is Thirty Meter Telescope in?
Thirty Meter Telescope's product category is Astronomical observatory and optical-infrared research infrastructure. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABACAK, Spacecraft Integration, Assembly & Test (IAT). Its NAICS code is 92711 and its SIC code is 3827.