Corporate Philanthropic Partners

The LSST Discovery Alliance Corporate Philanthropic Partners program recognizes businesses committed to advancing science with the NSF-DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory’s Legacy Survey of Space and Time (LSST)—an unprecedented, data-intensive astronomy project. 

What is LSST?

LSST will be conducted using Rubin Observatory’s Simonyi Telescope, equipped with the world’s largest digital camera. This groundbreaking project will create a decade-long cosmic time-lapse movie, revolutionizing our understanding of the universe and transforming the way we conduct science through innovative solutions for managing vast streams of data. With LSST projected to generate over 10 million cosmic alerts daily and the accumulation of an astonishing 60 petabytes of data over its 10-year observation period (20 terabytes per day), scientists will face significant challenges in processing, accessing, and analyzing this wealth of information. 

LSST data will be freely available in the US and Chile, and to others in 29 countries around the globe, with LSST having the potential to democratize science. The volume, data rate, and complexity of this open dataset offer the promise of unlimited impact to:

  • Deepening humans’ understanding of the Universe
  • Unifying, broadening and enriching global collaboration in astronomy and STEM 
  • Connecting astrophysics to other disciplines to transform all data-intensive research.

In today’s rapidly digitizing world, the global big data market is expected to reach $103 billion by 2027, highlighting the increasing reliance on data-driven decision-making across various sectors. The challenges presented by a large-scale project like LSST offer us an incredible opportunity to innovate and develop cutting-edge technologies and methodologies that can advance scientific research, enhance data accessibility, and foster interdisciplinary collaboration. 

Corporate and Business Impacts on LSST Discovery

LSST Discovery Alliance (LSST-DA) is a privately funded non-profit positioning the global science community to harness the transformative power of LSST. The Corporate Philanthropic Partners program supports and accelerates the work of LSST-DA which fosters innovation.

There is a strong role for the corporate sector in ensuring that the full promise of discovery from the survey can be realized:

  • Allying your company with new data intensive science tools in a challenging environment for basic science. 
  • Adding a voice to the case for global science to solve global problems.
  • Engaging new talent – and tomorrow’s leaders – through fellowships, mentorships, and formal training programs for sharing and networking in a massively big data project.

Corporate Sponsorship Benefits

Corporate partners are visionaries who recognize the potential of data-driven, inquiry-based science. Joining this program connects businesses to cutting-edge research being conducted worldwide in support of the LSST. With dozens of world-renowned member institutions around the globe, businesses gain access to insights and networking with multiple R1 universities and national science laboratories. 

  • Public alignment of your company with new approaches to data-intensive science.  
  • Association with discoveries through the global, inclusive, and collaborative work of LSST scientists.
  • Connections with leading research universities via our programs and conferences.
  • Pathways to potential employees at events for our early-career scientists.
  • Perks for employees: see behind-the-scenes at LSST via special webinars, ask- the-astronomer sessions, or on-site “brown bag” events
  • Acknowledgment of your support for the Discovery Alliance’s vision.
Contact us here for more information and to set up an initial meeting to discuss.

To be recognized as a Corporate Philanthropic Partner, a gift of $25,000 minimum is required. All Corporate Philanthropic Partners are reviewed by our Board of Directors to ensure the partnership match is beneficial to both parties. For more information, please contact us.  

Founding Corporate Philanthropic Partner

Our Founding Corporate Philanthropic Partner, Wasabi Technologies, supported both LSST-DA operations and a special enabling science grant for Amanda Wasserman at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. Amanda uses that grant to develop methods for studying explosive phenomena in the Universe with the upcoming Legacy Survey of Space and Time.