The next-generation space telescope, in which Korea participated in its development, is heading to space. The researchers plan to use this telescope to create a three-dimensional infrared map of the universe and explore the origins of the universe and the possibility of extraterrestrial life.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) announced on the 12th that the space telescope SPHEREx, co-developed by KARI and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), will be launched at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California on Feb. 28 (local time on Feb. 27). The mission period for SPHEREx is 2 years and 6 months, during which it will observe space four times.
SPHEREx is an international project led by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) and involves 12 organizations, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and KARI. A KARI official noted, "The total budget for this project is approximately 300 billion won," and explained, "WMAP, Swift, Wise, and TESS, which observed space flight trajectories, also fall under the same medium-sized mission category."
KARI has participated in the planning stages of SPHEREx since 2016. In this project, KARI is responsible for developing a vacuum chamber that simulates a cryogenic environment at negative 220 degrees Celsius to verify and calibrate the telescope's optical and spectral performance. They are also involved in software development for processing observation data and conducting analysis research.
SPHEREx will perform the mission of capturing the entire sky in 102 infrared wavelengths to collect information on about 1 billion celestial bodies. While the well-known James Webb Space Telescope observes a narrow and deep area precisely, SPHEREx observes a shallow and wide area, highlighting the difference.
The researchers plan to create a three-dimensional map of the universe through this, revealing how rapid expansion (inflation) occurred in the early universe and what effects it has on the formation of stars and planets. They also anticipate being able to conduct research on supermassive black holes based on the infrared map.
SPHEREx is expected to contribute to research on the possibility of extraterrestrial life and the exploration of exoplanets by observing the distribution of ice molecules present in our galaxy. While previous space telescopes analyzed hundreds of samples, SPHEREx aims to collect more than 10 million samples, enabling broader and more precise research.
The project involved 300 to 400 domestic personnel, including KARI researchers, who participated directly and indirectly. Additionally, domestically based small and medium enterprises like SAT and Photonics collaborated during the development of the cryogenic vacuum chamber. The Korea Aerospace Research Institute expects to expand technological exchanges and strengthen its capabilities in space telescope development through this project.
Jamie Bock, NASA's research director, said, "Thanks to the chamber developed in Korea, we were able to advance the schedule and save expenses while performing the mission superbly."
Yoon Young-bin, the commissioner of the Korea Aerospace Research Institute, stated, "It is significant that our researchers developed and applied imaging spectroscopic observation technology in collaboration with NASA," adding, "The Korea Aerospace Research Institute will continue to strengthen the country's space research capabilities and expand international collaborative research for the development of the space industry."