NASA launched the $5 billion Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope from Florida, marking a major step in astrophysics research. The telescope, set to operate for a decade, will investigate dark energy, dark matter, and exoplanets. It will survey billions of galaxies and map the universe's structure.
The telescope, launched on Aug 30, will reach Lagrange Point 2, 1.6 million km from Earth. It will take 90 days to commission and is expected to return its first high-resolution images before winter. It will complement missions like the James Webb Space Telescope and Hubble Space Telescope.
The telescope's mission includes creating the most comprehensive 3D map of the universe to date, aiding in understanding dark energy and dark matter. It will help scientists study the distribution of galaxies and their evolution over cosmic time, providing insights into the universe's expansion and composition.