SPHEREx
Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer
Dr. James Bock of the California Institute of Technology (CalTech) is the principal investigator for SPHEREx and NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) is the managing center.
SPHEREx will Explore the Origins of the Universe
SPHEREx will study the cosmic origins of the universe, galaxies and water in planetary systems. During its two-year mission, SPHEREx will survey the entire sky in optical and near-infrared light.
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The data from SPHEREx’s survey will be used to study:
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The nature of physics that drove cosmic inflation in the early universe;
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The properties of interstellar ices, a key reservoir for water and biogenic material in the early phases of star and planet formation; and
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The cosmic history of galaxy formation.
By surveying hundreds of millions of galaxies and stars, SPHEREx will help astronomers understand how our universe evolved while studying the abundance of the ingredients for life in our Milky Way galaxy’s planetary systems.
What We're Doing
Ball Aerospace will deliver the SPHEREx spacecraft bus, which is based on our customizable and reliable line of Ball Configurable Platform (BCP) spacecraft. The SPHEREx bus will be a BCP-small spacecraft. BCP spacecraft have consistently exceeded their estimated design lifetimes. Designed for flexible, cost-effective applications, BCP spacecraft ensure maximum capability and rapid delivery timelines.
Ball is also responsible for system integration and test, support for integration of the spacecraft onto a launch vehicle and commissioning of the spacecraft after launch.
Ball Aerospace has an extensive heritage with NASA science and exploration missions. This strong history informs our technology development and enables us to provide science at any scale.
SPHEREx
Download this PDF to learn more about how SPHEREx will explore the origins of the universe.