# SPHEREx

> NASA near-infrared space observatory

**Wikidata**: [Q55316514](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q55316514)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SPHEREx)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/spherex

## Summary
SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) is a NASA near-infrared space observatory designed to study the early universe, cosmic inflation, and the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems. Launched in March 2025, it is part of NASA's Explorers Program and operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit.

## Key Facts
- **Launch Date**: March 12, 2025, at 03:10:12 UTC from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- **Operator**: Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), managed by the California Institute of Technology.
- **Mass**: 502 kg at launch.
- **Dimensions**: 2.6 meters in height and 3.2 meters in diameter.
- **Mission Duration**: Expected service life of 27 months.
- **Orbit**: Sun-synchronous orbit.
- **Launch Vehicle**: Falcon 9 Block 5 (B1088.3).
- **Manufacturers**: California Institute of Technology (general contractor) and Ball Aerospace & Technologies (spacecraft bus subcontractor).
- **Scientific Instruments**: Infrared telescope and spectrophotometer.
- **Program Affiliation**: Part of NASA's Explorers Program (Mission 102) and Medium Explorer program (Mission 9).

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary mission of SPHEREx?
A: SPHEREx is designed to study the history of the universe, the epoch of reionization, and the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems using near-infrared spectroscopy.

### Q: When was SPHEREx launched?
A: SPHEREx was launched on March 12, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.

### Q: Who operates SPHEREx?
A: The Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), managed by the California Institute of Technology, operates SPHEREx.

### Q: What is the expected lifespan of SPHEREx?
A: SPHEREx has an expected service life of 27 months.

### Q: What kind of orbit does SPHEREx follow?
A: SPHEREx follows a Sun-synchronous orbit, which allows it to maintain a consistent angle with the Sun for optimal observations.

## Why It Matters
SPHEREx plays a crucial role in advancing our understanding of the universe's early history and the formation of cosmic structures. By mapping the entire sky in near-infrared light, it will provide unprecedented data on the distribution of galaxies, the origins of water and organic molecules, and the conditions that led to the formation of stars and planets. This mission will contribute significantly to astrophysics and cosmology, helping scientists unravel the mysteries of cosmic inflation and the evolution of the universe. Additionally, SPHEREx's observations will aid in the search for habitable worlds and the building blocks of life, making it a pivotal mission for both scientific discovery and the future of space exploration.

## Notable For
- **First Full-Sky Near-Infrared Survey**: SPHEREx is the first mission to conduct a full-sky survey in near-infrared light, providing a comprehensive map of the universe.
- **Studying Cosmic Inflation**: It aims to study the early universe and cosmic inflation, offering insights into the fundamental processes that shaped the cosmos.
- **Investigating the Origins of Water and Organic Molecules**: SPHEREx will explore the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems, contributing to our understanding of the conditions necessary for life.
- **Part of NASA's Explorers Program**: As part of NASA's Explorers Program, SPHEREx continues a legacy of innovative and cost-effective space missions.
- **Advanced Spectrophotometry**: The mission employs advanced spectrophotometry to analyze the composition and distribution of matter in the universe.

## Body
### Overview
SPHEREx is a NASA space telescope designed to conduct a near-infrared survey of the entire sky. It is part of the Explorers Program and the Medium Explorer program, aimed at advancing our understanding of the universe's history and the origins of cosmic structures.

### Launch and Orbit
SPHEREx was launched on March 12, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East using a Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It operates in a Sun-synchronous orbit, which allows it to maintain a consistent angle with the Sun for optimal observations.

### Technical Specifications
- **Mass**: 502 kg at launch.
- **Dimensions**: 2.6 meters in height and 3.2 meters in diameter.
- **Power Source**: Spacecraft solar array with a power output of 750 watts.
- **Spacecraft Bus**: BCP-300, manufactured by Ball Aerospace & Technologies.

### Scientific Instruments
SPHEREx carries an infrared telescope and a spectrophotometer, which are used to conduct its near-infrared survey. These instruments enable the mission to study the distribution of galaxies, the origins of water and organic molecules, and the conditions that led to the formation of stars and planets.

### Mission Objectives
- **Cosmic Inflation**: Study the early universe and cosmic inflation.
- **Epoch of Reionization**: Investigate the epoch of reionization, a period when the universe became transparent to light.
- **Origins of Water and Organic Molecules**: Explore the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems.
- **Full-Sky Survey**: Conduct a comprehensive near-infrared survey of the entire sky.

### Program Affiliation
SPHEREx is part of NASA's Explorers Program (Mission 102) and the Medium Explorer program (Mission 9). It follows missions like PUNCH and the Ionospheric Connection Explorer.

### Significant Events
- **Rocket Launch**: March 12, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.
- **Service Entry**: May 1, 2025, marking the beginning of its operational phase.

## Schema Markup
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  "description": "NASA near-infrared space observatory designed to study the early universe, cosmic inflation, and the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems.",
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## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_spherex.htm)
2. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sat/explorer.htm)
3. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2025-047E)
4. Space-Track
5. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/multi/explorer.html)
6. [NASA, SpaceX launch SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH heliophysics mission from California. NASASpaceflight. 2025](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/03/spherex-punch-launch/)
7. Jonathan's Space Report
8. [Source](https://d2pn8kiwq2w21t.cloudfront.net/documents/spherex-press-kit.pdf)
9. [Source](https://www.nasa.gov/missions/spherex/nasas-spherex-space-telescope-begins-capturing-entire-sky/)
10. [Source](https://science.nasa.gov/mission/spherex/)
11. [Source](https://spherex.caltech.edu/page/project-office)