NASA Launches SPHEREx, PUNCH Missions to Study Universe and Solar Wind

NASA successfully launched its SPHEREx and PUNCH missions aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base, California, on March 11, 2025. SPHEREx aims to create a 3D map of 450 million galaxies and over 100 million stars, seeking to uncover the universe's origins and the presence of life-supporting elements like water. Meanwhile, the PUNCH mission will investigate the Sun's outer atmosphere and solar wind, which affects space weather on Earth. The two missions, developed over several years, will operate in low-Earth orbit and begin their scientific explorations after a month-long calibration phase. NASA officials expressed excitement over the potential insights these missions could provide regarding cosmic evolution and solar phenomena. The dual launch underscores NASA's commitment to expanding our understanding of the universe and improving solar storm predictions.