The joint Korean-US space telescope 'SPHEREx' has successfully launched, marking a significant milestone for both the Korea Aerospace Administration and NASA. The telescope, developed through collaboration between the two organizations, took off at 12:09 PM Korean time on March 12, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California aboard the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket.
The launch of SPHEREx, which was delayed eight times prior due to adverse weather and equipment issues, was made successfully on its rescheduled date. At 12:52 PM, it reached its sun-synchronous orbit at approximately 650 kilometers above Earth. Notably, it made contact with NASA's Near Space Network's Svalbard Ground Station at 1:30 PM, confirming its operational status.
SPHEREx is equipped to observe infrared light, which is often invisible from ground-based telescopes, and aims to create the world's first infrared 3D space map. Scheduled to operate for 2.5 years, it will capture images of the entire sky using 102 different infrared wavelengths. This groundbreaking capability is expected to greatly advance research on the origins of the universe and the presence of extraterrestrial life.
During its initial operational phase of approximately 37 days, the telescope will undergo rigorous testing and calibration, including its ability to maintain temperatures as low as -210 degrees Celsius using its innovative cooling system. Jeong Woong-seop, the lead researcher from the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute, expressed confidence in the mission’s potential, stating, "If SPHEREx successfully completes its mission, it will provide important clues for our comprehension of the universe's formation and evolution, equipping astronomers worldwide with valuable data for the study of various celestial bodies."
The design of SPHEREx allows it to survey the entire celestial sphere; it is expected to complete approximately 600 observations during its mission, circling the Earth every 98 minutes and making 14.5 orbits daily. The ultimate goal is to develop detailed maps of cosmic structures by capturing and analyzing traces of water and carbon dioxide, which are indicators of life environments. This ambitious project will facilitate significant discoveries about cosmic origins, including galaxies and intergalactic phenomena.
NASA characterized SPHEREx as not only the first telescope capable of making these comprehensive observations but also part of its first 'rideshare' mission, wherein multiple projects are launched simultaneously. Along with SPHEREx, two additional solar wind observation satellites—the PUNCH missions—were launched. This approach maximizes resources and operational efficiency during space exploration.
Yoon Young-bin, head of the Korea Aerospace Administration, hailed the successful launch as monumental for humanity’s quest to understand early light from the universe and the processes of galaxy formation, reinforcing collaborative efforts between nations to tackle the enigmas of space exploration.
The completion of successful testing and operational phases positions SPHEREx as a beacon for future astronomical inquiries and explorations. Observations expected from this mission are anticipated to play pivotal roles not only in theoretical astrophysics but also practical applications of discovering life beyond Earth.
With SPHEREx now operational, researchers around the globe are eager to utilize the data it generates for future astronomical studies, fostering hopes for answers to some of humanity's most enduring questions about existence beyond our planet.