SPHEREx Observatory Ready for Major Thermal Vacuum Test

News Release • June 6th, 2024
24 11436 spherex titan pano edit

SPHEREx observatory installed in the Titan Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) test Chamber at BAE Systems in Boulder, CO. The spacecraft and photo shield are covered in multi-layer insulation and blankets, and also surrounded by ground support equipment as part of the test set up. SPHEREx TVAC testing will be performed in June and July 2024, and will include multiple thermal cycles. (Image Captured by: BAE Systems, Courtesy NASA/JPL-Caltech.)

 

 


Recent News

SPHEREx Nears Launch (LIVE Q+A)

February 13th, 2025

We are less than 15 days away from launching SPHEREx, a mission that will observe hundreds of millions of stars and galaxies in infrared light, a range of wavelengths not visible to the human eye. Tune in as we speak with experts from the mission, both at Vandenberg Space Force Base and NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in California, and see the space observatory up close and speak with experts...

Read More

Where is all the water that may form oceans on distant planets and moons? The SPHEREx astrophysics mission will search the galaxy and take stock.

Read More

SPHEREx L-30 News Briefing

January 31st, 2025

NASA previews SPHEREx, space telescope mission to explore universe’s origins.

Read More

The SPHEREx Observatory has completed standalone operations in the West High Bay at Astrotech Space Operations Payload Processing Facility at Vandenberg Space Force Base. The observatory is ready to begin integrated operations with rideshare partner mission PUNCH and the SpaceX Falcon 9 vehicle, readying for launch in a few weeks. Photo taken at Astrotech Space Operations Facility, VSFB by BAE...

Read More

Short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, SPHEREx aims to capture millions of stars and galaxies in 102 colors, creating a unique 3D map to uncover clues about the universe’s origins.

Read More