NASA launches observatories to study cosmic origins, Sun
SANTA BARBARA COUNTY, Calif. – NASA's latest space missions are underway which will study everything from the origins of the universe to the atmosphere around the Sun.
The observatories launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Tuesday, during what appeared to be a picture-perfect launch.
NASA says onboard the rocket was the Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer observatory or what is known as the SPHEREx and four small satellites that form the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere or what is known as the PUNCH for short.
While the goals of each mission are different, the space agency says they are interconnected, as both missions aim to deepen our understanding of the universe.
"Everything in NASA science is interconnected, and sending both SPHEREx and PUNCH up on a single rocket doubles the opportunities to do incredible science in space," Nicky Fox, an associate administrator at NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C., said in a statement. "Congratulations to both mission teams as they explore the cosmos from far-out galaxies to our neighborhood star. I am excited to see the data returned in the years to come."
What Is Disney World's Severe Weather Policy?
Despite challenges leading up to the launch, NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California announced that it had successfully established communication with SPHEREx, which will soon begin its two-year mission to survey space for light invisible to the human eye.
Astronomers will use the mission to gather data on millions of galaxies, as well as more than 100 million stars in our own Milky Way.
Scientists hope the data will help determine how the universe has evolved and whether the ingredients for life are relatively common throughout the galaxy.
"The fact our amazing SPHEREx team kept this mission on track even as the Southern California wildfires swept through our community is a testament to their remarkable commitment to deepening humanity's understanding of our universe," Laurie Leshin, director, NASA JPL, said in our statement. "We now eagerly await the scientific breakthroughs from SPHEREx's all-sky survey — including insights into how the universe began and where the ingredients of life reside."
The PUNCH satellites also successfully separated from the rocket and are reportedly in good shape – they recently began their commissioning phase before getting to work.
According to NASA, the instruments will work together to create 3D renderings of the Sun's corona and explore solar wind and other space weather events that impact Earth.
See The Objects Humans Left Behind On The Moon
"Questions like 'How did we get here?' and 'Are we alone?' have been asked by humans for all of history," James Fanson, a project manager at SPHEREx, stated. "I think it's incredible that we are alive at a time when we have the scientific tools to actually start to answer them."
NASA was able to defray some of the costs by launching the missions on the same rocket and hopes that the observatories last well beyond their intended lifespans.Original article source: NASA launches observatories to study cosmic origins, Sun
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Associated Press
7 hours ago
- Associated Press
Media Advisory - Simultaneous launch of Canadian space technologies
LONGUEUIL, QC, June 21, 2025 /CNW/ - Several technologies funded by the Canadian Space Agency under the Space Technology Development Program will be launched into space by SpaceX. These projects are a testament to Canada's leadership in space innovation. These innovations demonstrate the ability of Canadian companies to develop innovative technologies that meet the needs of the space program and have strong commercial potential. Media who wish to speak with a Canadian Space Agency expert or a representative from one of these Canadian companies are asked to contact the Media Relations Office. Website: Follow us on social media! SOURCE Canadian Space Agency
New York Post
7 hours ago
- New York Post
Dog's ashes among dozens to rocket into orbit this weekend
Bone voyage! A beloved dog named Franz will take his final leap this weekend — into Earth's orbit. The yellow labrador's ashes will be on board the inaugural Perseverance Flight from Texas-based Celestis Inc., which is scheduled to launch around 5:30 p.m. Sunday from Vandenberg Space Force Base in Santa Barbara, CA. 4 Franz was like a sibling to Elizabeth Moore before he died at age 13 in October 2020. Celestis, Inc Carrying a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, each about a quarter to a half-inch in size and filled with DNA or cremated remains, the 23-foot-tall SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will take two trips around Earth's low orbit at a mind-boggling 17,000 mph. The space flight will last about three hours before the rocket — still carrying its priceless payload — re-enters the atmosphere and lands in the Pacific Ocean somewhere between Alaska and Hawaii, according to Celestis CEO and co-founder Charles Chafer. A recovery ship, which was already out at sea Friday in anticipation of the launch, 'will track the incoming rocket, hopefully get a visual on it, and then go pick it up out of the ocean,' Chafer explained. 4 The Texas-based company Celestis Inc.'s inaugural Perseverance Flight will take two trips around Earth's Lower Orbit after blastoff on Sunday. The capsules will first be transported to Germany, then, within two months, distributed back to the families, who each paid a whopping $3,500 to send their loved one to the stars. While the price to send Franz on the voyage was 'a lot more' than the pooch itself, his owner, Harvin Moore, said with a laugh, it was only fitting for the 'space-fanatic' Moore family to send the pup beyond the stratosphere. 'He was the best dog, just so soft and nice and loved hugs,' recalled Moore, 60, who lives in Dripping Springs, Texas, just outside Austin. 4 The Moore family can't wait to watch their beloved pooch go galactic. Celestis, Inc Franz, who was 13 when he died in October 2020, was more like a sibling than a pet to Moore's now 26-year-old daughter, Elizabeth, and son, Quinn, 21, he said. Now, the family can't wait to watch the good boy go galactic. 'The emotional power of being with a group of people who are celebrating the life of a loved one in this way … it's amazing. It's nothing we'll ever forget,' said Moore. 'It's just pure joy.' 4 The Perseverance Flight will carry a total of 166 titanium and aluminum capsules, ranging in size from a quarter to a half-inch, filled with DNA or cremated remains. Celestis, Inc 'Many people whose ashes and DNA are flying are people that always wanted to go to space in their lifetime but were never able to do that. It also helps families move from feelings of grief to joy,' Chafer said. The cremated remains of Wesley Dreyer — an aerospace engineer who helped investigate the cause of the Space Shuttle Challenger's shocking explosion after takeoff on Jan. 28, 1986 — will also be on board the Perseverance Flight, as well as DNA from a living, 3-year-old German boy.
Yahoo
9 hours ago
- Yahoo
Regional students participate in University of Idaho's coding and robotics camp
Jun. 21—MOSCOW — It may not be a summer camp in the traditional sense, but the University of Idaho's summer Robotics Coding Camp is helping local students learn skills that can help them in the future. Regional middle and high school students spent a week on the Moscow campus learning about computer programming and engineering. The students typed and clicked away at their computers mastering skills many people don't learn until they are older. Erin Lanigan, UI assistant director of student engagement and STEM outreach, said one of the goals for the program is to help prepare students for entering the workforce where computer science and engineering skills are among the top needs. At this age, they are beginning to decide what they want to do when they grow up. "They have to see it to know they can be it," she said. Moscow Middle School student Corinne Bowersox, 12, already has a job in mind. "I'm actually interested in being a NASA engineer," she said. During this week's camp, she used coding to create her own video game where the goal is to catch fortune cookies and eggs before they hit the floor. She also learned how to control a small robot on wheels. She said coding is an easy way to learn a new hobby and people can share their work with other creators.
