SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Deploys NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope and PUNCH Probes z463c Technology News

NASA’s SPHEREx and PUNCH missions launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, aiming to explore the universe and solar activity. 1x6h3w

Written by Gadgets 360 Staff | Updated: 14 March 2025 10:00 IST

SpaceX Falcon 9 Successfully Deploys NASA’s SPHEREx Telescope and PUNCH Probes

Photo Credit: SpaceX 721r4j

SpaceX Falcon 9 Launches NASA SPHEREx Telescope & PUNCH Solar Probes

Highlights

NASA’s SPHEREx telescope will map the sky in 102 infrared colours
PUNCH mission aims to study the sun’s corona and solar wind
SpaceX Falcon 9 carried both missions into orbit from California

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A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket lifted off from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, at 11:10 p.m. EST, carrying NASA's SPHEREx space telescope and the PUNCH solar mission. The dual payload mission successfully reached orbit, marking a major milestone for NASA's ongoing space exploration efforts. Engineers and scientists involved in the missions expressed excitement as the spacecraft began their journey to designated orbits. The launch had faced multiple delays due to unforeseen setbacks, including the impact of wildfires in California, affecting several mission .

SPHEREx: Mapping the Universe in Infrared 3u522x

James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), which captures detailed images of specific cosmic regions, SPHEREx will create a wide-field map of the entire sky over six months.

NASA's Nicky Fox, Associate for the Science Mission Directorate, described the mission as "mapping the entire celestial sky in 102 infrared colors for the first time in humanity's history" during a briefing on January 31. The telescope has been placed in a sun-synchronous polar orbit to avoid interference from Earth's infrared glow and maintain optimal observational conditions.

NASA Delays SPHEREx and PUNCH Missions Due to SpaceX Vehicle Checks

PUNCH: Investigating the Solar Wind 654z50

(PUNCH) mission consists of four small satellites designed to study the sun's outer atmosphere and how it transitions into the solar wind. These observations will help scientists understand the solar wind's impact on Earth, particularly in predicting space weather events that can affect satellite operations, power grids, and GPS systems.

Craig DeForest, Principal Investigator of the PUNCH mission, stated on February 4 that "one instrument looks close to the sun, where it's bright, and another looks farther away where it's fainter," ensuring detailed observations of solar activity. The mission includes a narrow-field imager that will simulate a continuous solar eclipse, offering an unprecedented view of the sun's corona.

Next Steps for the Missions 525q4e

Both SPHEREx and PUNCH will now enter their designated orbits and undergo initial system checks. SPHEREx is expected to begin its all-sky mapping within six months, while PUNCH will commence its solar observations following a 90-day commissioning phase. Each mission is planned to last for at least two years, contributing valuable data to the study of the universe and the sun's influence on space weather.

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