Building an 8-m class observatory on startup timelines: Argus Array project management and current status

Abstract

The Argus Array is an 8-m-class telescope array which will monitor 8,000 square degrees simultaneously using 1,212 individual 28-cm telescopes. This paper presents the hardware management and systems engineering approach we are exploring to deliver world-class observatory facilities through rapid prototyping, integrated technical leadership, and flexible project management in a university research environment with non-traditional funding. The software and data pipeline are developed in parallel and are not covered here. Our approach combines traditional phase-gate milestones with the flexibility to redesign systems at critical concept and implementation phases. This is enabled by in-house prototyping on week-scale iteration cycles, a flat management structure that gives team members direct access to decision-makers, and a funding relationship that supports iterative requirements discovery. Senior technical leadership remains embedded across all subsystems, enabling rapid identification of design elements that impact science performance. Risk management emphasizes parallel development tracks for critical subsystems, strategic contracting where in-house expertise is unavailable, and close contractor engagement. This approach enabled a mid-project pivot from a single large monolithic mount to eight near-identical subarrays, absorbing a fourfold gain in survey capability while holding construction cost near baseline. After roughly 2.5 years of development, we have built prototypes across the Array's hardware and software subsystems, exercised an integrated engineering test article through tracking trials, and completed a first formal hardware review that found the design sound and recommended proceeding to construction. We offer these as practices under test, to be assessed as the Array reaches first light.