Story perspectives

China to Build 14.5m LOT, 6.5m MUST by 2030

6/8/2026

Summary

Story summary

China will build the 14.5-m Large Optical Telescope (LOT) and 6.5-m MUltiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST) on Saishiteng Mountain, with first light 2030.
The LOT costs 2.5 billion yuan and is led by National Astronomical Observatories of China, while the MUST costs 1.5 billion yuan and is led by a Tsinghua University team.
Together they will out-shine Mauna Kea’s telescopes, making the LOT the world’s second-largest optical instrument after Chile’s 39-m Extremely Large Telescope.

History

Historical Context

In 1970 NASA formed committees for a Large Space Telescope, but Congress cut funding in 1974, forcing a 2.4-m mirror and ESA partnership. Launched on STS-31 in 1990, Hubble’s flawed optics were fixed by the 1993 servicing mission, restoring its sharp view of the cosmos. Its success led to the 1996 “HST & Beyond” report and the James Webb Telescope, driving larger projects.

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Story summary

China will build the 14.5-m Large Optical Telescope (LOT) and 6.5-m MUltiplexed Survey Telescope (MUST) on Saishiteng Mountain, with first light 2030.
The LOT costs 2.5 billion yuan and is led by National Astronomical Observatories of China, while the MUST costs 1.5 billion yuan and is led by a Tsinghua University team.
Together they will out-shine Mauna Kea’s telescopes, making the LOT the world’s second-largest optical instrument after Chile’s 39-m Extremely Large Telescope.

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