The E-ELT is being built to increase understanding of the universe, the effects of dark matter and energy and planets outside of the solar system. Its 39m-diameter mirror will collect 15 times more light than any existing telescope and it will produce images 16 times sharper than the Hubble space-based telescope.
UK Trade & Investment has been encouraging British contractors to get involved in the project.
The £88m investment will ensure UK scientists and engineers are heavily involved in the construction and operation of the telescope and its instruments, set to be the most advanced of its kind. UK industry has already won £9m worth of contracts, and that figure is predicted to increase as much as ten fold before 2023 when construction is expected to be completed.
“This significant investment reaffirms the government’s commitment to cutting edge science,” said minister for universities and science David Willetts. “It will ensure the UK plays a leading role in a groundbreaking international project and our world-class research base has access to the latest equipment.
“Not only will this new telescope considerably increase knowledge of the universe, its construction will drive growth and innovation for UK industry. This is why space is one of our eight great technologies.”
Subject to additional funding commitments from other partners, the E-ELT will be built in Chile by the European Southern Observatory (ESO). The full cost of the E-ELT is €1.1bn (£952m) provided through ESO’s 14 existing member states and the accession of Brazil. The UK is a 16% per cent partner in ESO. Member states include most of western Europe.
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