NASA has awarded a launch service task order to Rocket Lab USA, based in Long Beach, California, to deliver its upcoming Aspera mission to orbit. This SmallSat mission will explore galaxy formation and evolution, providing deeper insight into the workings of the universe.
The mission was selected under NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract, which enables the agency to procure launch services through fixed-price task orders. The VADR contract, spanning a five-year ordering period, supports a maximum total value of up to $300 million. It is designed to accommodate cost-effective, risk-tolerant launches for NASA’s smaller science and technology payloads.
Aspera will observe ultraviolet light to study hot gas within the intergalactic medium—the vast space between galaxies. By focusing on the movement of gas into and out of galaxies, the mission aims to unravel critical processes that influence star formation and the broader dynamics of cosmic evolution.
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The mission is part of NASA’s Pioneers Program, which is managed by the Astrophysics Division at NASA Headquarters in Washington. The program supports innovative, lower-cost missions that use compact spacecraft and streamlined payloads to address compelling scientific questions. The principal investigator for Aspera is Carlos Vargas of the University of Arizona in Tucson.