emirates7 - The SPHEREx space telescope, a collaborative project between South Korea and the United States, has entered its initial operational phase following a successful launch on Wednesday, according to Seoul's aerospace agency.
Citing the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), Yonhap News Agency reported that SPHEREx was launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Approximately three minutes after liftoff, the observatory separated from the rocket and successfully established communication with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway, part of NASA’s near-space network, KASA stated in a press release.
With a budget of $488 million, SPHEREx is set to conduct a full-sky survey over its two-year mission following a 37-day initial operation period. The data it gathers will aid scientists in exploring the origins and evolution of the universe.
The telescope was jointly developed by NASA and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), which operates under KASA.
Citing the Korea Aerospace Administration (KASA), Yonhap News Agency reported that SPHEREx was launched aboard SpaceX's Falcon 9 rocket from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base.
Approximately three minutes after liftoff, the observatory separated from the rocket and successfully established communication with the Svalbard Ground Station in Norway, part of NASA’s near-space network, KASA stated in a press release.
With a budget of $488 million, SPHEREx is set to conduct a full-sky survey over its two-year mission following a 37-day initial operation period. The data it gathers will aid scientists in exploring the origins and evolution of the universe.
The telescope was jointly developed by NASA and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute (KASI), which operates under KASA.