NASA is preparing to launch two important space missions that will help us understand the origins of the universe and study the Sun’s solar wind. The missions, named SPHEREx and PUNCH, will launch together on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from California. NASA has shared detailed plans for live coverage of the launch and related events so that the public and media can follow along with these exciting missions.
About the Missions
SPHEREx, which stands for Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization and Ices Explorer, is a new space telescope. Its job is to study how the universe has changed over time and to search for important elements that might help life exist in our galaxy.
PUNCH, or Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere, consists of four small spacecraft. These will observe the Sun’s corona — the outermost part of the Sun — as it changes into the solar wind, a stream of charged particles flowing from the Sun into space.
Launch Details and Coverage
The launch is planned for no earlier than 11:10 p.m. EDT on Tuesday, March 11, 2025. The rocket will take off from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. NASA will provide live video coverage on NASA+ during prelaunch events and the launch itself. This coverage will also be available on social media platforms.
Media and the public can watch the countdown, launch, and mission updates online. NASA will also provide audio-only launch coverage through special phone lines. Additionally, the NASA website will stream the event with blogs and photos to keep everyone updated.
Important Dates for Media and Public
Before the launch, NASA has scheduled several important events for the media and interested viewers. On February 25, there will be a science overview news conference where mission scientists will discuss the goals of SPHEREx and PUNCH. Another news conference focused on prelaunch details will be held on March 7.
On March 8, NASA will host a launch preview streaming live on NASA+. Then, on the day of the launch, coverage begins at 10:15 p.m. EDT, about an hour before the launch window opens.
For those who want to attend the launch virtually, NASA offers a guest program that includes launch updates, resources, and even a virtual guest passport stamp after the launch.
NASA’s upcoming launch of the SPHEREx and PUNCH missions marks a major step in space exploration, providing new insights about the universe’s history and the Sun’s influence on our solar system. With extensive live coverage and virtual options, NASA is making it easy for people everywhere to witness these exciting missions. These projects highlight NASA’s ongoing commitment to exploring space and understanding our cosmic environment, bringing science closer to the public in an engaging and accessible way.
