SPHEREx: A Journey Through Time and Space
Imagine peering into the vast expanse of the universe, trying to unravel its mysteries like a cosmic detective story. That’s exactly what NASA’s SPHEREx mission aims to do.
The Mission’s Purpose
SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer. Its primary goal is to perform an all-sky survey using a spectrophotometer that will measure the near-infrared spectra of approximately 450 million galaxies. This ambitious project seeks to classify these galaxies according to their redshift accuracy and probe signals from the intra-halo light and the epoch of reionization.
A Race Against Time
SPHEREx was selected by NASA in February 2019 as its next Medium-Class Explorers mission, beating out competing mission concepts Arcus and FINESSE. The spacecraft is scheduled to launch on March 11, 2025, aboard a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base. This launch date marks the beginning of SPHEREx’s journey into space.
Principal Investigator: A Key Figure
The principal investigator for this groundbreaking mission is James Bock at California Institute of Technology (Caltech) in Pasadena, California. His expertise and leadership will be crucial as we venture deeper into the cosmos with SPHEREx.
Technical Specifications
SPHEREx’s spacecraft features a triple mirror telescope with an aperture diameter of 20 centimeters, six 2K × 2K photodetector arrays, and a linear variable filter. These components work together to capture the near-infrared spectra from 0.75 to 5.0 micrometers. The mission costs are capped at US$250 million, not including the launch vehicle, with a preliminary total cost of approximately US$395 million to US$427 million.
Collaboration and Innovation
The payload is being developed by Caltech and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. SPHEREx will be provided by Ball Aerospace & Technologies, ensuring that the mission benefits from cutting-edge technology and expertise in space exploration.
Rideshare Payloads: A New Chapter
In August 2022, NASA announced a new development for the SPHEREx mission. Four microsatellites from the PUNCH constellation will be launched as rideshare payloads with SPHEREx. This collaboration not only enhances the scientific potential of the mission but also showcases the innovative spirit that drives space exploration.
Conclusion
SPHEREx is more than just a mission; it’s a gateway to understanding the universe. By peering into the near-infrared spectra of galaxies, we can uncover the history of the cosmos and the epoch of reionization. As SPHEREx embarks on its journey in 2025, let us embrace this opportunity to explore the unknown and unravel the mysteries that lie beyond our planet.
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This page is based on the article SPHEREx published in Wikipedia (retrieved on March 12, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.
