NASA has launched two missions to explore the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere. The SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH satellite constellation will map the cosmos and study solar wind, helping scientists understand cosmic evolution and improve space weather forecasts.
NASA has initiated two groundbreaking missions to investigate the universe’s origins and the Sun’s outer atmosphere, the agency announced Tuesday.
Aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, the SPHEREx observatory and the PUNCH satellite constellation launched from California’s Vandenberg Space Force Base after multiple delays due to technical reviews and weather conditions.
Over the next two years, SPHEREx will conduct a full-sky survey four times, analyzing the light from hundreds of millions of galaxies to create a 3D map of the cosmos. This data may provide new insights into how the universe evolved after the Big Bang nearly 14 billion years ago.
NASA scientists believe the mission will help uncover the large-scale distribution of galaxies, shedding light on cosmic inflation—a rapid expansion phase in the early universe. Additionally, SPHEREx will search for water ice and other life-essential molecules within the Milky Way.
“Humanity has long wondered, ‘How did we get here?’ and ‘Are we alone?’” said James Fanson, SPHEREx project manager. “With these tools, we’re closer than ever to finding answers.”
Meanwhile, PUNCH is set to study how the Sun’s corona extends into the solar wind—a continuous stream of charged particles that impacts space weather. By tracking these interactions, researchers aim to enhance forecasts of solar storms that can disrupt satellites and power grids on Earth.
“The space between planets isn’t empty—it’s shaped by turbulent solar wind,” explained Craig DeForest, PUNCH’s principal investigator. “This mission will help us understand how these winds form and influence space weather on Earth.”
Both missions will operate in low Earth orbit, with SPHEREx managed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory and PUNCH led by the Southwest Research Institute.
U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday dismissed Greenland’s rejection of U.S. control, responding sharply to remarks by the island’s prime minist...
A Ukrainian drone attack killed one person, injured four others and sparked fires at an unidentified industrial facility in the southern Russian city ...
Iran’s nationwide anti-government protests have killed at least 2,571 people, according to updated figures from a U.S.-based rights group, as unrest...
Boeing booked more aircraft orders than Airbus in 2025 for the first time since 2018, official figures showed, even as the European manufacturer deliv...
Business and political leaders are gathering in Davos for the World Economic Forum’s(WEF) annual meeting as uncertainty over the global economic and...
Astronomers have observed a white dwarf - a highly compact Earth-sized stellar ember - that is creating a colourful shockwave as it moves through space, leaving them searching for an explanation.
A former Apple engineer has unveiled a new Chinese chip designed to compete directly with Apple’s Vision Pro headset.
Chinese AI startup DeepSeek has introduced its newest model, DeepSeek-V3.2-Speciale, claiming it can perform some tasks as well as the latest models from Google DeepMind and OpenAI.
A new robotic system developed for the Czech Police is reshaping how complex investigations are carried out, bringing laboratory-level precision directly to crime scenes.
Real Madrid have parted ways with coach Xabi Alonso, appointing former defender Álvaro Arbeloa as his replacement.
Israel has sharply escalated its warnings to Lebanon amid rising regional tensions linked to Iran, according to a report by the Lebanese newspaper Nida Al Watan.
The U.S. has issued an urgent security notice calling all American citizens to leave Iran immediately, citing escalating protests, growing violence and widespread communication shutdowns across the country.
Iranian authorities have taken steps to disrupt access to Starlink satellite internet, according to users and digital-rights groups, in what appears to be the latest effort to tighten control over people’s access to the internet inside the country.
The United Nations’ top court at The Hague has begun hearings on whether Myanmar committed genocide against the Rohingya ethnic minority. Gambia told judges on Monday that Myanmar targeted minority Muslim Rohingya for destruction and made their lives a nightmare in a landmark case.
Astronomers have observed a white dwarf - a highly compact Earth-sized stellar ember - that is creating a colourful shockwave as it moves through space, leaving them searching for an explanation.
Apple will use Google’s Gemini artificial intelligence (AI) models for its revamped Siri voice assistant later this year, in a multi-year deal that strengthens the tech giants’ partnership and boosts Alphabet’s position in the race against OpenAI.
China has begun exporting a rapid blackout recovery technology designed to restore electricity in just 0.1 seconds, offering power grid protection to 12 countries facing rising risks of outages and instability.
Tesla delivered 1.64 million vehicles in 2025, down 9%, as BYD becomes the top EV maker.
SpaceX will gradually lower 4,400 Starlink satellites this year to improve space safety.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment