NASA delays launch of SPHEREx and PUNCH space missions
What's the story
NASA has delayed the launch of its latest space telescope, SPHEREx, and a Sun-focused mission called PUNCH.
The two missions were scheduled to be launched via SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from California's Vandenberg Space Force Base today.
However, due to unforeseen circumstances, the teams have decided to stand down from this attempt.
NASA said, "The additional time will allow teams to continue rocket checkouts ahead of liftoff."
Launch updates
Multiple launch windows available through April
The first launch window for SPHEREx and PUNCH opened on February 28. However, poor weather and a series of integration issues delayed the attachment of both missions to the rocket.
These issues were further compounded by scheduling constraints on the Western Range, according to Julianna Scheiman, Director of NASA Science Missions at SpaceX.
As per NASA, multiple launch windows are available through April.
Mission details
SPHEREx and PUNCH: What are they?
SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer) will explore the evolution of the universe and trace where life's key ingredients came from in space.
Meanwhile, PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) will study how our Sun affects its surrounding solar system.
The missions will be flying in a sun-synchronous orbit around Earth's poles.
Telescope objectives
SPHEREx's mission: A cosmic exploration
SPHEREx will spend over two years orbiting Earth 650km overhead, gathering data on over 450 million galaxies and surveying over 100 million stars in our galaxy.
It will map the distribution of these galaxies and create a sky map in 102 colors of infrared light.
The telescope will also look for evidence of water, carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, and other vital ingredients for life within molecular clouds that may contain newly formed stars.
Solar exploration
PUNCH's mission: A solar study
PUNCH is made up of four small suitcase-size spacecraft that will spend the next two years studying the Sun, its heliosphere, as well as particles extending beyond the orbit of Pluto.
Each satellite carries a camera, which serves as a synchronized and single virtual instrument with a largely uninterrupted view of the Sun.
This mission will help understand how solar storms form and evolve, possibly leading to accurate predictions for when space weather could impact Earth.