West Coast Solutions joins Lazuli Space Observatory program

West Coast Solutions is supplying thermal management, precision control and auto-alignment systems for the Lazuli Space Observatory, a high-visibility project in the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System at Schmidt Sciences. The work ties a small aerospace hardware firm to Raytheon on hardware meant to support precision optics and rapid astronomical observations.

Why it matters: - The Lazuli Space Observatory needs tightly controlled thermal stability and precision pointing to support high-resolution astronomy. - West Coast Solutions is bringing space hardware manufacturing capability to a program led with Raytheon, an RTX business. - The project highlights how smaller aerospace suppliers can contribute to mission-critical systems on an accelerated schedule.

What happened: - West Coast Solutions announced that it is providing advanced thermal management, precision control systems and auto-alignment technologies for the Lazuli Space Observatory. - The work supports Raytheon, an RTX business, on the Lazuli telescope being built for the Eric and Wendy Schmidt Observatory System at Schmidt Sciences. - The company is based in Huntington Beach, California. - Michael Darlington, principal electrical engineer at West Coast Solutions, said Raytheon helped with supply chain support to source components for the program timeline.

The details: - West Coast Solutions is developing an integrated Modular Processing Control System, or MPCS. - The MPCS includes electronics for fine steering mirrors. - West Coast Solutions is also building the fully integrated end-to-end thermal control system for the Lazuli telescope. - The company says the system combines electronic, electro-mechanical and electro-optical modules into a plug-and-play platform. - The delivered system is designed to provide precision pointing and thermal stability controls across the mission lifecycle. - The engineering approach is intended to support precise alignment for high-resolution and rapid astronomical observations. - Dr. Carl Kirkconnell, president of West Coast Solutions, said the company is using the lean operating approach it developed since founding the business in 2015 to meet the schedule for Lazuli. - West Coast Solutions was founded by Kirkconnell in 2015. - The company says it works in aerospace electronics, cryogenic systems and space and tactical power. - West Coast Solutions holds an AS9100 Supplier Certificate. - JPL named West Coast Solutions its Small Business of the Year in 2024. - Schmidt Sciences was founded in 2024 by Eric and Wendy Schmidt. - Schmidt Sciences is a nonprofit focused on AI and advanced computing, astrophysics, biosciences, climate and space.

Between the lines: - The announcement signals continued demand for specialized thermal and control hardware in modern observatories. - The collaboration also underscores the role of small suppliers in meeting tight aerospace schedules when larger primes need targeted technical support. - The emphasis on integrated control systems suggests mission performance depends as much on subsystem reliability as on the telescope optics themselves.

What's next: - West Coast Solutions says the Lazuli hardware is being developed on a rapid timetable. - The companies are expected to continue supporting the observatory buildout as the telescope moves toward deployment. - Questions about the Lazuli Space Telescope or the Schmidt Observatory System can be directed to comms@schmidtsciences.org.

The bottom line: - West Coast Solutions is positioning itself as a niche supplier for high-precision space hardware, with Lazuli as a showcase program.