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NASA has canceled the launch of the SPHEREx space observatory, which was supposed to study the early history of the universe, due to adverse weather conditions and technical problems. The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which was planned to take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, has been postponed, and a new date has not yet been set.
The main goal of the SPHEREx mission is to study the so-called inflationary moment, when the universe expanded trillions of times in a fraction of a second after the Big Bang. The telescope will operate in optical and infrared wavelengths, creating a map of the universe and collecting data on a billion celestial objects.
The 500kg spacecraft will be the first to create a complete 3D infrared map of the universe, helping astronomers better understand how galaxies form and dark matter. Its spectrophotometer will be able to observe infrared light that cannot be detected from Earth.
The mission will last 2,5 years and cost an estimated $488 million. In addition to SPHEREx, the Falcon 9 rocket will also launch four PUNCH satellites into orbit, which will study the solar wind and the Sun's corona.
Despite the delay, NASA is continuing preparations for the launch, and a new launch date will be announced soon.
NASA has canceled the launch of the SPHEREx space observatory, which was supposed to study the early history of the universe, due to adverse weather conditions and technical problems. The launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, which was planned to take place from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California, has been postponed, and a new date has not yet been set.
The main goal of the SPHEREx mission is to study the so-called inflationary moment, when the universe expanded trillions of times in a fraction of a second after the Big Bang. The telescope will operate in optical and infrared wavelengths, creating a map of the universe and collecting data on a billion celestial objects.
The 500kg spacecraft will be the first to create a complete 3D infrared map of the universe, helping astronomers better understand how galaxies form and dark matter. Its spectrophotometer will be able to observe infrared light that cannot be detected from Earth.
The mission will last 2,5 years and cost an estimated $488 million. In addition to SPHEREx, the Falcon 9 rocket will also launch four PUNCH satellites into orbit, which will study the solar wind and the Sun's corona.
Despite the delay, NASA is continuing preparations for the launch, and a new launch date will be announced soon.
