This milestone accelerates the construction of the world’s most advanced gamma-ray observatory, enabling rapid progress toward groundbreaking scientific discoveries.

The CTAO ERIC unites international partners to build over 60 telescopes across sites in Spain and Chile, with initial configurations expected to operate by 2026. This recognition strengthens the Observatory’s legal framework, attracting talent and investment while ensuring its sustainability as a global research leader.

The Spanish community, comprising the institutions CERES-UAB, CIEMAT, IAA-CSIC, IAC, ICCUB, ICE-CSIC, IFAE, IFT-UAM, IPARCOS-UCM, PIC, UAH, and UJA, has made a significant contribution to the construction and commissioning of the various components of the observatory, as well as to the development of software and the definition of the project’s scientific objectives.

More information on the CTAO press release and on the Ministry of Science, Innovation and Universities press release .

The Commission Implementing Decision is available on the Official Journal of the European Union .