The launch of the next-generation space telescope SPHEREx, developed with the participation of South Korea and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), has been delayed once again. The launch is being postponed by more than ten days due to issues with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket's preparations for liftoff.
NASA and SpaceX noted through a notice on the 8th (local time) that they are postponing the launch of SPHEREx and the PUNCH mission originally scheduled for tonight. NASA added, "We will continue to conduct rocket checks before launch," stating that a new launch schedule will be announced later.
The Korea Aerospace Research Institute also stated, "The launch of SPHEREx, scheduled for the 9th in Korean time, has been postponed for additional checks before the launch on the same day," adding, "We will share the exact launch timing as soon as NASA officially announces it."
SPHEREx is an international project led by the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), with the participation of 12 institutions, including NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the Korea Astronomy and Space Science Institute. It aims to photograph the entire sky in 102 different infrared wavelengths to collect information on about 1 billion celestial objects.
Although there are no seas or lakes in outer space, ice exists combined with small dust particles. Scientists report that most of the water in space is stored in this form and plan to use SPHEREx to search for ice particles that exist throughout the galaxy. While existing space telescopes have captured two-dimensional images of celestial objects, SPHEREx plans to collect three-dimensional information to determine how much ice exists within molecular clouds and how the composition of ice varies in different environments within the clouds.
Initially, SPHEREx was scheduled for launch on Feb. 28. However, various issues have been discovered with SpaceX's Falcon 9 leading up to the launch, causing continuous delays. Specific components within the system aimed at dampening shocks experienced by the spacecraft during launch have caused problems, and leaks have been confirmed in the fairing pneumatic device, which is the cover on top of the rocket. Additionally, the deterioration of local weather during the transport of the spacecraft to the launch site has further delayed operations.
NASA and SpaceX indicated on the 7th that all preparations for the launch had been completed, but it appears that another issue has arisen ahead of the launch on that day.