SPHEREx: The Telescope Searching for Traces of Life in the Milky Way
NASA’s SPHEREx space telescope will investigate critical components for life, such as water ice, carbon dioxide, and carbon monoxide, within the Milky Way galaxy. These elements are thought to accumulate in molecular clouds by attaching to interstellar dust particles. SPHEREx will conduct approximately 9 million observations to map the distribution of these substances and detect changes within molecular clouds. These observations will help scientists develop more precise models of planet and star formation processes.
SPHEREx will conduct a large-scale survey by scanning the entire sky in infrared light. While previous space telescopes have detected water and other elements in specific regions, SPHEREx will be the first to conduct a comprehensive mapping. Its observations will be used in conjunction with telescopes like the James Webb Space Telescope, which can perform more detailed analyses, leading to a better understanding of star and planet formation. The data collected by SPHEREx will be publicly available in NASA’s data archive for the entire scientific community.
Blue Origin Plans to Conduct New Glenn’s Second Launch by Late Spring
Blue Origin plans to conduct the second launch of the New Glenn rocket by late spring after addressing landing issues encountered in its first mission. The company’s CEO, Dave Limp, stated that during the NG-1 mission, the rocket experienced a propulsion system issue and a telemetry loss during landing. However, after analysis, the issue was understood and did not require major modifications. Limp emphasized that the second New Glenn rocket is currently in production and that the launch schedule remains unchanged, stating, “We still believe we can fly by late spring.”
Alongside the New Glenn rocket, Blue Origin is also developing the Blue Moon lunar lander. As part of NASA’s Human Landing System (HLS) program, the company is working on Blue Moon Mark 2 while planning to send the Mark 1 version to the Moon later this year. Limp highlighted the importance of lunar exploration for future Mars missions, stating, “Blue Moon and other systems can be adapted for Mars missions. We must build the technological infrastructure.”
China’s Guowang Satellite Network: A New Step Toward Global Internet
China has successfully launched the second batch of satellites for its Guowang mega constellation, aiming to provide broadband internet services from Low Earth Orbit (LEO). The Guowang project, planned to consist of 13,000 satellites, seeks to position China as a competitor to the U.S.-based Starlink in the global satellite internet market. The recent launch, conducted with a Long March-8 rocket, is part of China’s long-term strategy to strengthen its space-based internet infrastructure.
Such large-scale satellite networks expand global internet access but also pose technical and regulatory challenges, such as spectrum allocation and increasing orbital congestion. According to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU) regulations, China must deploy a certain percentage of the Guowang network within a specified timeframe. Additionally, China’s SSST company is developing the “Qianfan” project, consisting of 14,000 satellites, further expanding the country’s space-based internet infrastructure.
This Week in Our Art Corner: The Wandering Earth
This week, we recommend The Wandering Earth, a science fiction film adapted from Liu Cixin’s short story of the same name. In the future, as the Sun rapidly expands and threatens to destroy Earth, humanity decides to construct massive engines to propel the planet out of the Solar System and toward a new home. However, a catastrophic disaster looms when Earth is pulled off course due to Jupiter’s immense gravitational force. As our heroes fight to save the planet, they embark on an epic journey that highlights the power of human solidarity and sacrifice.
