NASA’s SPHEREx Space Telescope Launches to Map the Universe’s Cosmic Glow
NASA has successfully launched its latest space telescope, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer), aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on March 11, 2025. The $488 million mission aims to map the entire sky using infrared technology to study galaxy evolution, the early universe, and interstellar ice. Unlike telescopes that focus on individual galaxies, SPHEREx will analyze the collective cosmic glow of all galaxies throughout history, providing unique insights into the universe’s expansion and formation.
Summary/Static | Details |
Why in the news? | NASA’s SPHEREx Space Telescope Launches to Map the Universe’s Cosmic Glow |
Launch Vehicle | SpaceX Falcon 9 |
Mission Cost | $488 million |
Orbit Altitude | 400 miles (650 km) |
Mission Duration | 2 years (4 full-sky surveys) |
Scientific Focus | Galaxy evolution, cosmic glow, universe expansion, interstellar ice |
Technology Used | Infrared observations, 102-color spectrum analysis |
Special Features | Thermal shielding, ultra-cold operation (-350°F / -210°C) |
Comparison with Other Telescopes | Wide-field sky mapping (unlike Hubble/Webb’s detailed images) |
Additional Satellites Launched | PUNCH (4 satellites for solar studies) |
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