NASA Launches ₹4,255 Crore Conical Telescope into Space
In a groundbreaking achievement, NASA has successfully launched its newest telescope, SPHEREx (Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer), into space from California. This innovative telescope, designed with a unique conical shape, will collect valuable data on more than 450 million galaxies and over 100 million stars in the Milky Way. The primary objective of SPHEREx is to help NASA explore the origins of the universe and unravel the mysteries of its evolution.
The SPHEREx telescope was launched on March 12, 2025, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. This ambitious project has been in the works for several years, with a total budget of ₹4,255 crore (approximately $550 million). The telescope’s conical design is one of its most distinctive features, allowing it to survey the entire sky with unprecedented precision.
So, what exactly will SPHEREx do? The telescope will use its advanced spectro-photometer to collect data on the light emitted by distant galaxies and stars. By analyzing this data, scientists will be able to study the composition and properties of these celestial bodies, gaining valuable insights into the formation and evolution of the universe.
One of the primary goals of SPHEREx is to explore the epoch of reionization, a period in the universe’s history when the first stars and galaxies began to form. This era, which occurred around 13 billion years ago, is still shrouded in mystery, and scientists believe that SPHEREx will provide crucial information about the processes that occurred during this time.
The telescope will also be used to study the distribution of water and organic molecules in the universe. These molecules are essential for the emergence of life, and understanding their presence and distribution can provide valuable insights into the origins of life itself.
In addition to its scientific objectives, SPHEREx will also be used to test new technologies and methods for space exploration. The telescope’s conical design, for example, allows it to survey the sky with a unique combination of precision and coverage. This design will enable scientists to study the entire sky in a single survey, rather than relying on a series of separate observations.
The SPHEREx telescope is the latest addition to NASA’s fleet of space-based observatories, which includes the Hubble Space Telescope, the James Webb Space Telescope, and the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS). Each of these telescopes has made significant contributions to our understanding of the universe, and SPHEREx is poised to make a similar impact.
In conclusion, the launch of SPHEREx marks an exciting new chapter in the history of space exploration. This innovative telescope, with its unique conical design and advanced spectro-photometer, will provide scientists with a wealth of new data and insights into the origins of the universe. As SPHEREx begins its mission, we can expect to learn more about the earliest moments of the universe’s history, the formation of the first stars and galaxies, and the distribution of water and organic molecules throughout the cosmos.
