Low Earth orbit
Aspera
Aspera is a NASA astrophysics SmallSat that will study hot gas in the intergalactic medium using ultraviolet light signatures.
Planned; Rocket Lab's official mission page lists Aspera for 2026 with launch time to be confirmed, while NASA's mission material retains an earlier 2026 projection.
View in 3D map ↗Official mission site ↗The mission
Aspera is a NASA astrophysics small satellite carrying an ultraviolet telescope. The mission will map hot gas in the intergalactic medium and study how matter cycles in and out of galaxies, helping scientists understand the origin and evolution of stars, planets, and the large-scale structure of the universe.
The launch
- Launch
- 2026
- Launch location
- Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
- Launch vehicle
- Electron
- Orbit
- Low Earth Orbit
Mission timeline
Follow the mission through its available trajectory data in the full 3D solar-system map.
NASA mission release
Current overview
NASA’s launch-service announcement describes Aspera and its early-2026 launch planning.
Open milestone source ↗Objectives
- 01
Map ultraviolet signatures from hot gas in the intergalactic medium.
- 02
Study the flow of matter through galaxies and the larger cosmic web.
- 03
Improve understanding of how stars, planets, and galaxies evolve.
Spacecraft
Aspera
Gallery
0 images from Aspera.
No mission imagery is available yet.
Community discussion
Comments 0
No comments yet. The airlock is open.
Sign in or create an account to comment and vote.