CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. (AP) — NASA's newest telescope, the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope, launched on Sunday to search for planets around other stars, investigate dark energy, and survey the cosmos. The telescope, which cost $4.3 billion, was launched aboard a Falcon Heavy rocket shortly after daybreak. It is heading to an observation point 1 million miles (1.6 million kilometers) away, where the Webb Space Telescope is also located.
The Roman Space Telescope, named after NASA's first chief astronomer, Nancy Grace Roman, is expected to take over three months to reach its destination. Once operational, it will provide a wide view of the universe, aiming to discover thousands of supernovae, tens of thousands of planets, billions of galaxies, and tens of billions of stars, according to NASA science mission director Nicky Fox.
Following the launch, the rocket's side boosters successfully landed back at Cape Canaveral, and the telescope separated from the rocket's upper stage. Fox expressed her excitement during the event, stating, "It's such a good day!"
NASA Administrator Jared Isaacman received a congratulatory call from President Donald Trump shortly after the launch, who remarked on the successful event. The Roman Space Telescope's field of view is more than 100 times wider than that of the Hubble Space Telescope, which has been operational for 36 years. The Webb Space Telescope, which has a narrower focus, will work alongside Roman to enhance the understanding of newly discovered celestial bodies.
The Roman Space Telescope aims to provide insights into dark matter and dark energy, which constitute a significant part of the universe. Its observations could help scientists understand the rate of the universe's expansion. The telescope features a wide-field infrared camera that is 1,000 times faster than Hubble, along with an experimental coronagraph to directly image faint planets orbiting stars.
Although Roman is not specifically designed to search for extraterrestrial life, it is expected to facilitate future observatories in addressing the question of whether life exists elsewhere in the universe. The telescope is also designed to be refueled, potentially extending its operational life.
The launch occurred nearly a year ahead of schedule and within budget, marking a significant milestone as it is NASA's first space telescope named after a woman. Retired NASA scientist Ed Weiler noted that the honor is long overdue, highlighting Roman's contributions to astronomy since she joined NASA in 1959. The telescope's primary mirror, nearly 8 feet (2.4 meters) in diameter, was repurposed from surplus spy satellite materials donated to NASA over a decade ago.
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