From Earth’s harshest landscapes to lunar horizons: engineering telescopes for extreme environments

We present a comparative engineering roadmap for optical telescopes designed to operate in extreme environments on Earth and the lunar surface, particularly for investigating small Solar System bodies. Drawing on lessons from high-altitude deserts, polar stations, and remote platforms, we propose solutions for lunar-based telescopes to monitor near-Earth space, increase detectability of near-Earth asteroids (NEAs), and improve follow-up. These telescopes will also observe transient phenomena like gamma-ray bursts, supernovae, and variable stars, while providing data on space weather and radiation. The Moon’s stable platform, lack of atmosphere, and continuous observing windows offer unique advantages for long-term monitoring of NEAs, space debris, and other celestial phenomena. This project outlines engineering concepts for precursor lunar telescopes and discusses milestones for transitioning from Earth-based systems to robust, autonomous lunar implementations for continuous operation.