SPHEREx Space Telescope Starts Initial Operations After Launch Success
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Synopsis
The SPHEREx space telescope, jointly developed by South Korea and the US, has begun initial operations post-launch, aiming to gather extensive data on millions of galaxies and stars while paving the way for future lunar and Mars missions.
Key Takeaways
- SPHEREx telescope launched successfully from California.
- Initial operations started after communication with Svalbard Ground Station.
- Two-year mission to study over 450 million galaxies.
- Collaboration between KASI and NASA.
- Plans for lunar and Mars exploration announced.
Seoul, March 12 (NationPress) The SPHEREx -- a space telescope collaboratively developed by South Korea and the US -- has commenced its initial operational phase after a successful launch on Wednesday, as reported by Seoul's aerospace agency.
The SPHEREx was launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California at 12:10 p.m. Wednesday (Korea time) aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket, according to the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), as per the Yonhap news agency.
Approximately three minutes post-launch, the SPHEREx observatory was successfully separated from the rocket and established communication with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway, a part of NASA's near space networks, at 1:30 p.m., the agency indicated.
“Deployment of NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory is complete, marking the beginning of the telescope’s two-year mission to gather data on over 450 million galaxies and more than 100 million stars within the Milky Way,” stated SpaceX in a social media post.
This 300 billion won ($488 million) telescope is set to conduct a comprehensive sky survey during its two-year mission, following a 37-day initial operation, aimed at aiding scientists in investigating the formation and evolution of the universe.
The SPHEREx telescope is a product of collaboration between the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI) and NASA. KASI is a research institute under KASA. The SPHEREx will stand as the world’s first space observatory to conduct an all-sky spectral survey and gather data on over 450 million galaxies in the Milky Way.
In addition, KASA has announced plans to initiate preparations for developing technologies necessary for lunar exploration by 2032, establishing a lunar base in the 2040s, and even landing a spacecraft on Mars by 2045.
The South Korean space agency also intends to enhance its collaborations with global space powers, including the US, Europe, and Japan, while expanding its role in the NASA-led Artemis Moon exploration program.
