B.C. firm finds way to mass produce telescopes that see billions of light years

PORT COQUITLAM, B.C. – If the inventors of a so-called game-changing telescope have their way, there will be a lot more discoveries about our solar system, galaxy and the universe.

The British Columbia firm Dynamic Structures has developed a new generation of telescopes that makes them financially feasible to build.

Company CEO Guy Nelson says many universities dream of having an observatory, but traditional telescopes require heavy mirrors supported by large observatories.

But using robots and the company’s new optical technology, Dynamic says it can mass produce light-weight mirrors with the ability to see millions, and even billions of light years away.

The company has always made telescopes, but over the last 20 years has used that technology for amusement rides.

The firm, which employees about 130 people in Port Coquitlam, B.C., says it has a backlog of about $100 million worth of amusement park rides to be exported to the U.S. and China.