SPHEREx (MIDEX 9) [JPL]
SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) is an all-sky infrared spectral survey explorer satellite developed under NASA's MIDEX (Medium Explorer) program. SPHEREx is a partnership between California Institute of Technology (Caltech), JPL, Ball Aerospace, and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute.
SPHEREx adresses all three science goals in NASA's astrophysics division, with a single instrument, a wide-field spectral imager:
SPHEREx will create spectra (0.75 – 4.2 µm at R = 40, and 4.2 – 5 µm at R = 135) with high sensitivity using a cooled telescope with a wide field-of-view for large mapping speed. During its two-year mission, SPHEREx will produce four complete all-sky maps that will serve as a rich archive for the astronomy community. It will perform an all-sky survey to measure the near-infrared spectra of approximately 450 million galaxies.
SPHEREx implements a simple and robust design that maximizes spectral throughput and efficiency. SPHEREx achieves this with no moving parts except for one-time deployments of a sunshield and aperture cover. Design features have been proven effective on previous missions, and include:
Nation: | USA |
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Type / Application: | Astronomy, infra-red |
Operator: | Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) |
Contractors: | California Institute of Technology (Caltech) (prime); Ball aerospace (bus) |
Equipment: | 20 cm all-aluminum telescope, spectrophotometer |
Configuration: | RS-300 |
Propulsion: | ? |
Power: | Fixed solar array, batteries |
Lifetime: | 2 years |
Mass: | ~200 kg |
Orbit: | 700 km polar |
Satellite | COSPAR | Date | LS | Launch Vehicle | Remarks | |
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SPHEREx (MIDEX 9) | - | 2025 | Va SLC-4E | Falcon-9 v1.2 (Block 5) | with PUNCH-NFI, PUNCH-WFI 1, PUNCH-WFI 2, PUNCH-WFI 3 |