Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute Increases Investment in Giant Magellan Telescope
Multi-million-dollar investment advances scientific instrument development and supports critical milestone toward completion of one of the world’s most powerful telescopes
PASADENA, CA – July 7, 2026 – The Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) has reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the Giant Magellan Telescope through a new investment that brings its total contribution to nearly $110 million (USD), strengthening the Republic of Korea’s leadership as the project’s third-largest partner.
“The Giant Magellan Telescope is one of the world’s most ambitious research facilities and represents the very best of international scientific collaboration,” said Jang-Hyun Park, president of KASI. “Our participation in the observatory is a cornerstone of South Korea’s long-term astronomy and space science strategy, and our new investment will advance the development of the world’s most advanced scientific instruments to ensure our scientists continue to play a leading role in ground-based and space-based astronomy for generations to come.”
The Giant Magellan Telescope is the future of ground-based astronomy. Using seven of the world’s largest mirrors, the 25.4-meter telescope will deliver the most detailed images of the Universe ever taken. It will uncover the cosmic mysteries of dark matter, investigate the origins of the chemical elements, and search for signs of life on distant planets. The Giant Magellan is the work of the GMTO Corporation, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and international consortium of 16 universities and research institutions including the University of Arizona, Carnegie Institution for Science, The University of Texas at Austin, Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, University of Chicago, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, São Paulo Research Foundation, Texas A&M University, Northwestern University, Harvard University, Astronomy Australia Ltd., Australian National University, Smithsonian Institution, Weizmann Institute of Science, Academia Sinica Institute of Astronomy and Astrophysics, and Arizona State University. The observatory is under construction in Chile and will be completed in the 2030s.