NASA will launch two major space missions, SPHEREx and PUNCH, on March 2.
Both missions will be launched aboard a SpaceX’s Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 4E at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The liftoff will take place at 10:09pm EST (8:39am IST on March 3).
This joint mission is part of NASA’s Launch Services Program, which pairs different science missions with commercial vehicles for cost-effective exploration.
🚀LAUNCH UPDATE
NASA and SpaceX are now targeting NET Sunday, Mar. 2 for the launch of the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions.https://t.co/Ry65lFP9kY pic.twitter.com/cq0wuzt2A9
— NASA’s Launch Services Program (@NASA_LSP) February 26, 2025
SPHEREx: A wide angle Telescope:
SPHEREx, short for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, is a conical white spacecraft. It will serve as a wide-angle version of the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST).
The mission will use information-rich infrared light wavelengths from the distant universe on a march broader scale than JWST.
All about the PUNCH mission:
NASA’s PUNCH mission is scheduled to launch THIS SUNDAY, March 2, at 10:09pm ET! 🚀☀️https://t.co/zi40Q8UKc9
Catch the pre-launch news conference March 1 at 3:30pm ET: https://t.co/pkgZCP0vo4
Then watch the launch on March 2 starting at 9:15pm ET: https://t.co/b1KTIToLgC pic.twitter.com/b4YaCwJsTD
— NASA Sun & Space (@NASASun) February 27, 2025
The second mission, PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere), will be dedicated to solving the mysteries of solar dynamics.
It involves four satellites orbiting around Earth, aiming to understand how the sun’s outer atmosphere or corona turns into solar wind.
This information is important as it affects space weather conditions that can affect our power grid and astronaut health.
How to watch the launch LIVE:
You can catch the launch live on NASA+ or the agency’s YouTube channel.
The SPHEREx mission will delve into questions like why cosmic inflation happened just after time began and how water came to Earth to sustain life as we know it.
Meanwhile, PUNCH will study how light’s property called “polarization” can reveal directions of different features within our solar wind chamber (including CMEs) and the role of an “artificial solar eclipse” in its success.
Also Read: “Sikandar Teaser: Salman Khan & Rashmika Mandanna Bring High-Octane Action!”
