BAE Systems Delivers NASA’s SPHEREx Observatory for Launch
January 21, 2025 | BAE SystemsEstimated reading time: 1 minute

BAE Systems has successfully delivered NASA’s Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) Observatory to Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.
The observatory is scheduled to launch in late February alongside NASA’s Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The minimum two-year mission will conduct the first all-sky spectral surveys and gather valuable data to help answer fundamental questions about the universe.
SPHEREx will use an advanced imager developed by NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech) to survey the entire sky in near-infrared light. Over the course of four planned surveys, the observatory will create 3D, colored maps of more than 450 million galaxies and millions of stars in the Milky Way. This data will provide the scientific community with novel insights on the formation of the universe in the moments after the Big Bang, help determine how galaxies evolve over time, and seek out water and other life-sustaining molecules in areas where planets are forming.
“The development of SPHEREx represents a remarkable collaborative effort between BAE Systems, JPL, Caltech, and numerous other institutions that helped to make this groundbreaking mission a reality,” said Brian Pramann, SPHEREx program manager for BAE Systems Space & Mission Systems. “After years of complex design, manufacturing, integration and testing efforts, our team can’t wait to see SPHEREx launch.”
Along with its core science objectives, SPHEREx will also identify targets of interest for follow-up studies by observatories like the James Webb Space Telescope.
BAE Systems built both the spacecraft bus and telescope for the observatory, in addition to leading spacecraft integration and environmental testing for the mission. The company will also support launch operations and spacecraft commissioning. Caltech’s Dr. Jamie Bock is the mission’s principal investigator.
BAE Systems is proud to continue its longstanding support of NASA’s astrophysics missions, including work on the Hubble Space Telescope, Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope, and the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope among others.
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
India’s Aerospace and Defence Engineered for Power, Driven by Electronics
09/16/2025 | Gaurab Majumdar, Global Electronics AssociationWith a defence budget of $82.05 billion (2025–26) and a massive $223 billion earmarked for aerospace and defence spending over the next decade, India is rapidly positioning itself as a major player in the global defence and aerospace market.
VIDEOTON EAS's Bulgarian Subsidiary Expands Into Automotive Products
09/15/2025 | VideotonVEAS Bulgaria, engaged in electronics manufacturing, has joined the ranks of VIDEOTON companies authorized to produce automotive products.
Variosystems Strengthens North American Presence with Southlake Relaunch 2025
09/15/2025 | VariosystemsVariosystems celebrated the relaunch of its U.S. facility in Southlake, Texas. After months of redesign and reorganization, the opening marked more than just the return to a modernized production site—it was a moment to reconnect with our teams, partners, and the local community.
Hanwha Aerospace to Collaborate with BAE Systems on Advanced Anti-jamming GPS for Guided Missiles
09/15/2025 | HanwhaHanwha Aerospace has signed a contract with BAE Systems to integrate next-generation, anti-jamming Global Positioning System (GPS) technology into Hanwha Aerospace’s Deep Strike Capability precision-guided weapon system.
EV Group Achieves Breakthrough in Hybrid Bonding Overlay Control for Chiplet Integration
09/12/2025 | EV GroupEV Group (EVG), a leading provider of innovative process solutions and expertise serving leading-edge and future semiconductor designs and chip integration schemes, today unveiled the EVG®40 D2W—the first dedicated die-to-wafer overlay metrology platform to deliver 100 percent die overlay measurement on 300-mm wafers at high precision and speeds needed for production environments. With up to 15X higher throughput than EVG’s industry benchmark EVG®40 NT2 system designed for hybrid wafer bonding metrology, the new EVG40 D2W enables chipmakers to verify die placement accuracy and take rapid corrective action, improving process control and yield in high-volume manufacturing (HVM).