Light Bridges

Light Bridges is a private research institution established in the Canary Islands, Spain, one of the world's premier astronomical locations. The company focuses on observational astronomy and data management, and its stated vision is to advance scientific knowledge while promoting both environmental and financial sustainability. It manages the newest robotic telescopes at the Teide Observatory — part of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC) — alongside Astronomy High-Performance Computing Centers. The organization positions itself as a community-driven company whose mission is to simplify science. It makes it easier for astronomers and research groups to observe their targets, and it democratizes access to world-class scientific facilities, enabling countries and institutions to access professional observations for a fraction of the cost and without lengthy, costly procedures. Light Bridges invites researchers to submit observing proposals through an online form, after which its team reviews them and identifies the most suitable observing opportunities. Light Bridges operates the TTT telescopes, which are included in the Spanish CAT (Comité de Asignación de Tiempo), the national time-allocation committee. Spanish astronomers can apply directly through the CAT, while international researchers can apply with the collaboration of Light Bridges in the proposal. The company also conducts annual scientific research projects spanning a broad range of topics in astronomy and space, relying on collaboration with other astronomers for data analysis and the publication of scientific results. Its leadership team combines scientific, operational, and software expertise. Antonio Maudes, an Economist of the Spanish State and PhD in Economics, serves as Chief Executive Officer and oversees all activities, with a focus on pioneering innovative approaches to public-private collaboration. Miquel Serra Ricart, Chief Scientific Officer, has been the Teide Observatory's administrator for almost 30 years and currently oversees the scientific activity of the TTT telescopes. Miguel R. Alarcon is Director of Operations, responsible for all robotic and operational processes of the telescopes, the performance and integration of scientific instruments, and the development of advanced operational, software, and data science capabilities. Samuel Lemes, Software & Dev Engineer, leads the IT infrastructure, enabling efficient robotic operations and ultra-fast data processing. João Bento serves as Astronomy liaison and dev ops, fostering new scientific collaborations, coordinating ongoing research projects, and contributing to development operations related to TTT. Arnau Serra is a software specialist dedicated to keeping the IT infrastructure running smoothly and efficiently. Based in Güímar, Tenerife, Light Bridges occupies a niche at the intersection of astronomy, high-performance computing, and public-private partnership. By sharing world-class scientific infrastructures and streamlining access procedures, it aims to lower barriers for research groups and institutions worldwide.

Light Bridges is a private research institution established in the Canary Islands, Spain, a location recognized as one of the best astronomical sites in the world. The organization was built around observational astronomy and data management, with a vision of advancing scientific knowledge while promoting both environmental and financial sustainability. From its base in Güímar, Tenerife, Light Bridges took on the management of the newest robotic telescopes at the Teide Observatory, which is part of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC). It also operates Astronomy High-Performance Computing Centers, combining observing infrastructure with data-processing capacity. The TTT telescopes under its management are included in the Spanish CAT (Comité de Asignación de Tiempo), the national committee that allocates observing time. This inclusion allows Spanish astronomers to apply for time directly through the CAT, while international researchers can apply with the collaboration of Light Bridges in the proposal. The company describes itself as community-driven and frames its mission as simplifying science. It makes it easier for astronomers and research groups to observe their targets and democratizes access to world-class scientific facilities, enabling countries and institutions to access professional observations for a fraction of the cost and without lengthy, costly procedures. Researchers are invited to submit observing proposals through an online form, after which the Light Bridges team reviews them and identifies the most suitable observing opportunities. Beyond providing observing time, Light Bridges conducts annual scientific research projects spanning a broad range of topics in astronomy and space. These projects rely on collaboration with other astronomers for data analysis and the publication of scientific results. The organization's leadership reflects this dual scientific and operational focus: Chief Scientific Officer Miquel Serra Ricart has served as the Teide Observatory's administrator for almost 30 years and oversees the scientific activity of the TTT telescopes, while Director of Operations Miguel R. Alarcon manages robotic and operational processes, instrument performance and integration, and advanced operational, software, and data science capabilities. CEO Antonio Maudes, an Economist of the Spanish State and PhD in Economics, oversees all activities and focuses on innovative approaches to public-private collaboration. The team also includes software and development specialists such as Samuel Lemes, João Bento, and Arnau Serra, who maintain the IT infrastructure and support robotic operations and data processing. As of the available evidence, Light Bridges remains an active private research institution headquartered in Güímar, Spain, operating at the intersection of astronomy, high-performance computing, and public-private partnership.

• Light Bridges is established as a private research institution in the Canary Islands, Spain.

• The company takes on management of the newest robotic telescopes at the Teide Observatory, part of the Instituto de Astrofísica de Canarias (IAC).

• The TTT telescopes are included in the Spanish CAT (Comité de Asignación de Tiempo), allowing Spanish astronomers to apply for observing time directly.

A community-driven private research institution that democratizes access to world-class astronomical facilities, offering professional observations at a fraction of the cost and without lengthy, costly procedures.

• TTT robotic telescopes

  The newest robotic telescopes at the Teide Observatory, managed by Light Bridges and included in the Spanish CAT time-allocation system.

• Astronomy High-Performance Computing Centers

  Computing infrastructure operated by Light Bridges to support observational astronomy data management and ultra-fast data processing.

• Observing proposal service

  An online submission and review process through which researchers can request observing opportunities.

• Annual scientific research projects

  Research projects spanning a broad range of topics in astronomy and space, conducted in collaboration with other astronomers.

1. 1Light Bridges — Seeing Further: Telescopes & Astro-Computinglightbridges.es
2. 2About us - Light Bridgeslightbridges.es
3. 3Light Bridges (Spain) - Wikidatawikidata.org