New infrared observatory will study dark energy, dark matter and distant worlds

CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA — SEPTEMBER 1, 2026: NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope has successfully launched aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from Kennedy Space Center, beginning a new mission to explore the universe.

The observatory will study dark energy, dark matter, exoplanets and the formation of galaxies using infrared observations. Its wide field of view will allow scientists to survey areas of the sky far larger than the Hubble Space Telescope can observe in a single exposure.

Named after Nancy Grace Roman, NASA’s first chief astronomer, the telescope will complement the Hubble and James Webb Space Telescope missions.

Roman is now travelling toward the Sun-Earth L2 point, about one million miles from Earth, where engineers will prepare its instruments for scientific operations.

Scientists expect the mission to provide valuable new information about the structure, history and future of the universe.

Journalist and Reporter
Pranav Parsoon
Indian Press Union and Global News Press
Pune, Maharashtra