What iTelescope does

iTelescope operates a subscription-based network of internet-controlled telescopes positioned in dark-sky observatories across five regions (USA, Australia, Chile, Spain continental, and La Palma). Members access the platform through a web-based Launchpad dashboard that exposes real-time telescope availability, weather, and per-instrument imaging rates, then either control a telescope live in their browser or schedule unattended imaging sessions through a point-and-click Planner. The platform supports any-skill-level use: beginners can use a One-Click Image Service that returns JPEGs to email, while advanced imagers set RA/DEC coordinates, filters, exposure times, dithering, focus, and plate-solving; science users get access to photometric filters, AAVSO VPhot integration, and MPC observatory designations for asteroid and minor planet reporting. Image data is auto-delivered within 5-10 minutes in FITS, TIFF, or JPEG formats.

The business generates revenue primarily through 28-day subscription tiers ranging from $39.95 (Plan-40) to $489.95 (Plan-490), with higher tiers unlocking deeper discounts on hourly premium telescope rates and larger cloud storage and reservation allowances. A points-based system ($1 USD per point) supplements subscription revenue, and on top of subscription revenue the company sells usage-priced hours on premium telescopes, one-on-one masterclass tutorials ($125-$300), bi-weekly Premium Image Sets, and Hosting Services that allow individuals or groups to place or share equipment on the network. Customer segments are individual consumers only, primarily amateur astrophotographers, with secondary segments of professional/serious-amateur researchers and science educators. Go-to-market is product-led and community-led: free trials on two telescopes with no credit card, a Discord live community, weekly webinars, and content marketing through tutorials, case studies, and member showcases (including multiple NASA APOD winners).

The organization operates as a not-for-profit under founder/owner Brad Moore, with a stated legal entity name of iTelescope.Net and primary jurisdiction in Australia. Founded in 2004 (operating as iTelescope since 2006, previously known as Global-Rent-a-Scope) the platform claims over 50,000 lifetime members, 300,000+ observing missions, and 280,000+ imaging hours delivered, though only ~1,000 active members were reported as of December 2017 and no later financial disclosure exists. Headcount is 1-10 employees, no funding rounds are disclosed, and there are no parent entities, subsidiaries, M&A activity, or patents.

Name

iTelescope

Legal name

iTelescope.Net

Website

https://itelescope.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2004

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

iTelescope operates a subscription-based global network of 24 internet-controlled telescopes across five dark-sky observatories, serving amateur astrophotographers, serious researchers, and science educators with real-time or scheduled remote imaging.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Remote Telescope Services

NAICS

Computer Systems Design and Related Services (54151)

SIC

Optical Instruments & Lenses (3827)

akta.pro primary industry

Satellite Imagery & Remote Sensing Geospatial Platforms (BPAMANAM)

Keywords

• Remote telescope access
• Astrophotography services
• Internet astronomy
• Telescope subscriptions
• Astronomical imaging

Headquarters

HQ city

Coonabarabran

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Infrastructure, Operations, Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Subscription Plans (28-day cycle): Monthly subscription plans ranging from $39.95 to $489.95 per 28 days. Includes fixed point allocations, free telescope time, premium image sets, cloud storage, reservation allowances, and webinar access. Higher-tier plans offer greater discounts on hourly telescope rates (10%-50%).
2. Telescope Usage (Hourly Rates): Pay-per-hour telescope access with rates varying by telescope class. Free telescopes included in subscription. Affordable telescopes: $21-$54/hr. Premium telescopes: $34-$118/hr depending on plan tier and telescope.
3. Points System: One point equals $1 USD. Points consumed based on imaging time or session time. Additional points purchasable at any time. Points credited to account every 28 days with subscription.
4. Tutorial and Masterclass Services: One-on-one Zoom-based tutorials with expert instructors. Turbo-Starter Short (1 hour): $125. Turbo-Starter Extended (3 hours): $300. Narrowband Processing (2 hours): $200. Science Imaging Tutorial: $200. All include bonus points.
5. Unlimited Plan: Plan-1000/Unlimited plan offers $0 per hour for all telescope usage, 20 hours reservation time, free telescopes limited to 30 minutes. All usage at $0 means points system not applicable.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

iTelescope operates a global network of 24 internet-controlled telescopes hosted at five dark-sky observatories across the USA, Australia, Chile, Spain, and La Palma, accessed by members through subscription plans. Members either control telescopes live in real time or book unattended imaging sessions via the Launchpad dashboard and reservation system, then receive calibrated image data (FITS, TIFF, JPEG) typically within 5–10 minutes.

Product overview

iTelescope.Net is a remote internet astronomy platform offering a network of globally distributed, automated telescopes for astrophotography and scientific research. The core offering includes live telescope control through the Launchpad interface, a reservation/planner system for scheduling sessions, and real-time image delivery. Members can choose from Free Telescopes (T33, T68 with 30 min free access), Premium Telescopes (high-end Takahashi, Planewave, RCOS systems across 5+ locations), or Professional Plans with discounted rates. Value-add services include Premium Image Sets delivered bi-weekly, Full Moon Happy Hour (free access during full moon), Webinars and Masterclass one-on-one tutorials, Science & Research Services for photometry and minor planet work, and private/group Hosting Services for personal equipment. The platform integrates with AAVSO VPhot for photometric analysis and Minor Planet Center for asteroid tracking.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Live Telescope Control Membership Subscription-based access to the iTelescope.Net platform providing real-time, browser-based control of telescopes in the global network, with image data delivered typically within 5–10 minutes. Available across Standard and Professional plan tiers on a 28-day billing cycle.
• Premium Telescopes Hourly access to world-class telescopes including Takahashi FSQ, Planewave CDK, RCOS, and Samyang systems ranging from 65mm to 850mm aperture, located in Australia, Chile, Spain, and the USA.
• Premium Image Sets Bi-weekly image data sets from the finest network telescopes delivered to member inboxes and ready for processing; included with membership subscriptions.
• Masterclass Tutorials One-on-one interactive Zoom tutorials (1–3 hours) covering telescope operation, image processing, LRGB workflows, narrowband imaging, and scientific applications, with bonus points credited to member accounts.
• Webinars Live educational tutorials and special interactive webinars on science and technology topics including astronomy, black holes, and cosmic phenomena.
• Science & Research Services Research-grade telescope access for photometry, exoplanet studies, comet and asteroid tracking, minor planet discovery, supernova observation, variable stars, and basic spectroscopy using photometric Sloan filters.
• Hosting Services Private and shared hosting facilities for individuals with their own telescope equipment or groups wishing to share a dedicated telescope on the network.
• AstropixelProcessor Tutorial Comprehensive LRGB and narrowband image processing tutorial service using AstropixelProcessor software, with downloadable sample data from the T08 telescope.

Quantifiable outcome

• 50,000+ members served since inception
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers8 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

Feature7 records

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Celestron: Celestron is a major telescope and optical instrument manufacturer selling consumer-grade telescopes that amateur astronomers might buy as an alternative to subscribing to iTelescope's remote network.
• Sky-Watcher: Sky-Watcher manufactures a broad range of telescopes, mounts, and astrophotography equipment for hobbyists, competing indirectly with iTelescope by offering ownership alternatives to its rental/subscription model.
• Meade Instruments: Meade is a long-established telescope and optical equipment manufacturer serving amateur astronomers, providing an alternative path (ownership) to iTelescope's remote-access subscription model.
• ZWO: ZWO designs and manufactures astrophotography cameras, smart telescopes (e.g., Seestar), and related equipment widely used by iTelescope members and competitors, making it an adjacent equipment player in the same ecosystem.

Others

• Software Bisque: Software Bisque develops TheSkyX planetarium and telescope control software used by amateur and professional astronomers — adjacent ecosystem tooling that iTelescope members rely on for image planning and processing.
• Sierra Remote Observatories: Sierra Remote Observatories provides telescope hosting infrastructure in California and New Mexico — the very facility where iTelescope hosts its USA telescopes, making it an infrastructure/hosting partner rather than a retail competitor.

Direct peers

• Slooh: Slooh operates a network of online telescopes that members can control remotely to capture astronomical images — a direct subscription-based competitor to iTelescope with overlapping amateur/professional astronomer customer base.
• Deep Sky West: Deep Sky West provides remotely operated telescopes in dark-sky New Mexico for rent to astrophotographers, sharing iTelescope's subscription/usage model and amateur astronomer target customer.
• Telescope Live: Telescope Live offers a global network of remote telescopes available via subscription for astrophotography and research, competing head-to-head with iTelescope on telescope inventory, dark-sky locations, and tiered membership pricing.
• LightBuckets: LightBuckets offers remote telescope rental services for amateur astronomers via an online interface, historically a direct competitor to iTelescope in the same internet-astronomy subscription category.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/iTelescope_Net
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/itelescope-net

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about iTelescope