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.
Suggested Items
TEXMAC/Takaya Appoints Arrowhead as New Rep in Arizona
02/14/2025 | TEXMACTEXMAC, the exclusive authorized distributor of Takaya flying probe test systems in North and South America, announces the appointment of Arrowhead Technical Sales & Marketing, LLC and Brian L. Crisp to represent the company’s flying probe test systems and technology in the state of Arizona. The company is based in Lake Havasu City, AZ, and can be reached at Tel. (909) 273-7111, e-mail brian@arrowheadtechnicalsales.com.
Saki Launches Next-Generation 3Si/3Di-EX Series for SPI & AOI
02/12/2025 | Saki CorporationSaki Corporation, a global leader in automated inspection solutions, proudly announces the launch of its latest 3Si/3Di-EX Series of 3D Solder Paste Inspection (SPI) and Automated Optical Inspection (AOI) systems, set to begin shipping in April 2025.
MACOM European Semiconductor Center (MESC) Awarded Contract
02/12/2025 | MACOMMACOM Technology Solutions Inc. (MACOM) is pleased to announce that its France-based European Semiconductor Center (MESC), has been awarded a multi-year contract from Banque Publique d'Investissement (BPI) to lead the development and manufacturing of advanced semiconductor products, in collaboration with public and private sector partners.
Laser Photonics Secures Repeat Bruce Power Order for Advanced CleanTech Laser Technology
02/11/2025 | BUSINESS WIRELaser Photonics Corporation (LPC), a leading global developer of industrial laser systems for cleaning and other material processing applications, announced that it has received an order for a second and third CleanTech 500-CTHD laser cleaning system from Sargent & Lundy for use by Bruce Power in Ontario, Canada, the operator of North America’s largest operational nuclear power plant.
L3Harris Launches New Technology to Control Autonomous Swarms
02/11/2025 | BUSINESS WIREL3Harris Technologies has introduced AMORPHOUS™, its new software that features a single user interface to operate thousands of autonomous assets simultaneously.