​India becomes full member of Hawaii's Thirty Meter Telescope project

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Courtesy Thirty Meter Telescope

This rendering shows the $1.3 billion Thirty Meter Telescope planned for the summit of the Mauna Kea volcano on the Big Island of Hawaii.

Lorin Eleni Gill

Reporter- Pacific Business News

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Government officials in India have established the country as a full partner in the Thirty Meter Telescope project on Hawaii's Big Island.

The astronomical international observatory project planned for the summit of Mauna Kea is supported by the United States, Canada, Japan, and China as well.

The formal relationship announced by India was expected by TMT, says Sandra Dawson, TMT manager of Hawaii community affairs.

"It's very exciting to have India as a full member, as they've been an associate member for several years," Dawson said. "They're providing incredible technological projects, and in addition to the building of TMT they're providing us with significant engineering on the project."

By joining as a full member, India secures observing time for its scientists at TMT, which is scheduled to complete in the 2020s.

India is contributing in the areas of software systems and segment production, including high precision sensors and actuators for the telescope's primary mirror, according to Henry Yang, chair of the TMT International Observatory Board.

The Gordon and Betty Moore Foundation, started by the founder of Intel, has contributed $141 million to date to the project.

The $1.3 billion telescope began construction mid-November.

Lorin Eleni Gill covers health care, nonprofits and the University of Hawaii for Pacific Business News.