The key science questions to understand the Universe necessitate extremely ambitious research projects, spanning over very long periods of time and requiring large collaborations. Instrumental development in this area enables tool-driven revolutions that can open the door to future discoveries. This is only possible with the appropriate support to innovation. Interdisciplinarity and coordination are fundamental ingredients, as are foresight and planning. Technological advances in instrumentation have found quite often applications in other areas of science and everyday life. All in all, technological activities in this area result in a significant stimulation of R&D and industrial activity. A number of key challenging points are identified, that will pave the way to the implementation of the instruments of the future.

Peer reviewed