JPL-Managed Space Mission Set To Unveil Universe’s Secrets

NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena will mark another milestone in space exploration the SPHEREx space telescope heads into space after its scheduled launch on February 27. The mission, managed by JPL, will investigate the origins of the universe and search for life’s building blocks in our galaxy, launching alongside the PUNCH mission to study solar wind.

“SPHEREx will improve our understanding of how the universe evolved and search for key ingredients for life in our galaxy,” said James Fanson, SPHEREx project manager at JPL, highlighting the mission’s significance.

The dual-mission launch will lift off from Vandenberg Space Force Base at 7:09 p.m. PST aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East.

Over its two-year mission, the JPL-managed SPHEREx telescope will create four complete all-sky maps, observing more than 450 million galaxies and 100 million stars in the Milky Way.

Currently, the spacecraft is undergoing final preparations at the Astrotech Processing Facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base.

The telescope will share its ride with NASA’s PUNCH mission, consisting of four small spacecraft designed to make global, 3D observations of the Sun’s corona and solar wind.

NASA will host several public events leading up to the launch, including a science overview news conference on February 25 at 2 p.m. EST and a prelaunch briefing on February 26 at 3:30 p.m. EST.

Both events will feature key mission scientists and officials discussing the missions’ objectives and anticipated impacts.

The launch will be broadcast live on NASA’s streaming platforms, with coverage beginning at 6:15 p.m. PST on launch day. Local residents can participate virtually by registering through NASA’s virtual guest program, which offers curated launch resources and commemorative digital stamps.