NASA Selects SpaceX for SPHEREx Space Telescope Launch
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Chapter 1: Introduction to SPHEREx
NASA has formed a partnership with SpaceX, leveraging its Falcon 9 rocket for multiple missions. This collaboration extends beyond human spaceflight, as NASA has now tasked SpaceX with launching the SPHEREx space telescope. Scheduled to commence its operations in 2024, SPHEREx will conduct an extensive survey of the entire sky over a span of two years.
Section 1.1: The Role of SPHEREx in NASA's Exploration Efforts
SPHEREx is part of NASA’s Medium-Class Explorers (MIDEX) initiative, which also includes missions like the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). The acronym SPHEREx stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer. This mission will utilize near-infrared technology, allowing it to observe parts of the universe that are invisible to the naked eye.
The launch services for SPHEREx are projected to cost $98.8 million, a significant portion of the overall budget for the project, which NASA estimates to be between $395 million and $427 million. While TESS focuses on distant celestial objects, SPHEREx is set to explore over 300 million galaxies and 100 million stars within our Milky Way using its advanced spectrophotometer.
Subsection 1.1.1: Scientific Goals of SPHEREx
SPHEREx aims to enhance our understanding of galaxy formation and evolution. Every six months, the telescope will employ its 20 cm aperture to compile a comprehensive map of the sky in 96 distinct color bands. This data will be crucial for identifying the presence of water and organic materials in regions where stars are forming. Such insights will aid in selecting future research targets for more sophisticated instruments like the James Webb Space Telescope.
Section 1.2: The Significance of the Epoch of Reionization
NASA is particularly interested in data that could illuminate the "epoch of ionization," a significant phase in the early universe characterized by the formation of the first stars and galaxies. During this period, the neutral hydrogen that was prevalent in space became ionized. SPHEREx will also investigate the very beginnings of the universe, seeking evidence for a theoretical phenomenon linked to the Big Bang known as inflation.
Chapter 2: Launch Timeline and Collaboration
The Falcon 9 rocket has been chosen by NASA to facilitate SPHEREx’s launch, which is slated for June 2024 at Vandenberg Air Force Base.
The first video titled "How NASA's SPHEREx Mission Will Map the Cosmos" provides an overview of the mission's objectives and its significance in astronomical research.
The second video, "Putting SPHEREx to the Test," showcases the preparations and testing processes involved in ensuring the telescope's success.