VIAVI Delivers Precision Optics for NASA's Groundbreaking SPHEREx Mission

Rhea-AI Summary

VIAVI Solutions (NASDAQ: VIAV) has announced its participation in NASA's SPHEREx mission, which launched on March 11, 2025. The mission represents the first all-sky spectral survey in the near-infrared range, designed to map hundreds of millions of galaxies and over 100 million stars.

VIAVI's contribution includes advanced optical components for the SPHEREx spectrometer, specifically Linear Variable Filters that split light wavelengths from 0.75-5.0µm, and a dichroic beamsplitter that reflects 0.75-2.6µm while transmitting 2.6-5.0µm. These components are important for capturing and analyzing infrared signals to develop a comprehensive spectral map.

This project builds upon VIAVI's previous space mission contributions, including technology for the LEISA instrument on New Horizons, the OVIRS instrument for OSIRIS-REx, and the MISE instrument on Europa Clipper.

Positive

• Secured contract for NASA's major space mission, demonstrating technological leadership
• Builds on track record of successful space mission contributions
• Strengthens position in high-precision optical components market

Negative

• None.

Insights

Aerospace Technology Expert

VIAVI's contribution to NASA's SPHEREx mission represents a significant technological achievement in space-based spectroscopy. The company's Linear Variable Filters and dichroic beamsplitter are enabling critical capabilities for what will be the first all-sky spectral survey in the near-infrared range. These precision optics allow the mission to capture infrared signals across 102 distinct color bands spanning wavelengths from 0.75-5.0µm.

What's particularly notable is VIAVI's growing portfolio of space mission contributions. Their optical technology has previously enabled spectral imaging on the New Horizons mission (Jupiter/Pluto), the OSIRIS-REx asteroid exploration, and upcoming Europa Clipper mission. This demonstrates consistent validation of their precision optical capabilities in the most demanding space environments.

While direct revenue impact isn't disclosed, securing contracts for NASA missions typically provides two key benefits: validation of manufacturing precision/reliability and potential for expanded government/aerospace contracts. The SPHEREx mission's ambitious goals of mapping hundreds of millions of galaxies creates a prestigious reference point for VIAVI's optical security and performance division.

Financial Analyst

VIAVI's participation in NASA's SPHEREx mission highlights the company's continued penetration into high-value aerospace contracts. While no financial terms were disclosed, this deployment reinforces VIAVI's position in the specialized precision optics market segment, which typically commands premium margins compared to commoditized optical components.

The announcement demonstrates VIAVI's established track record with NASA missions, having contributed to at least three previous space initiatives. This repeat business suggests the company has built defensible expertise in this niche. For investors, this represents potential for a sustainable revenue stream from government aerospace projects, though the materiality to overall financial results remains unclear without contract values.

From a competitive positioning standpoint, the highly specialized nature of space-grade precision optics creates significant barriers to entry. Few companies possess both the technical capabilities and space heritage required to secure such contracts. The orbital deployment provides an impressive technical showcase, but investors should remain focused on whether VIAVI can translate these prestigious projects into meaningful revenue growth within its Optical Security and Performance division, which represents just one segment of the company's broader business.

CHANDLER, Ariz., March 13, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- VIAVI Solutions Inc. (VIAVI) (NASDAQ: VIAV) today announced its contribution to NASA's Spectro-Photometer for the History of the Universe, Epoch of Reionization, and Ices Explorer (SPHEREx) mission, which launched on March 11, 2025. A groundbreaking endeavor led by NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) and the California Institute of Technology (Caltech), the mission will conduct the first all-sky spectral survey in the near-infrared range.

By capturing the cosmos in 102 distinct infrared color bands, SPHEREx will map hundreds of millions of galaxies and over 100 million stars, providing unprecedented insights into cosmic inflation, galaxy evolution and the origins of water and organic molecules in planetary systems. The data gathered by SPHEREx will enable researchers worldwide to delve deeper into the mysteries of cosmic inflation and the chemical pathways that have led to the emergence of life.

VIAVI's state-of-the-art optical components contribute to the SPHEREx spectrometer's ability to capture and analyze the faintest infrared signals, which is critical in developing a comprehensive spectral map. Matched with six precision 2k x 2k detectors, VIAVI's Linear Variable Filters split the wavelengths of light from 0.75-5.0µm. In addition, VIAVI's dichroic beamsplitter reflects 0.75-2.6µm, transmits 2.6-5.0µm, and divides the incoming light to the two detector banks.

"Today marks a monumental milestone for our entire team at VIAVI," said Luke Scrivanich, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Optical Security and Performance, VIAVI. "We  collaborated with JPL and Caltech engineers, overcame technical challenges, and pushed the boundaries of excellence for our precision optical filters. Congratulations to the NASA, JPL, and Caltech teams."

The SPHEREx spectrophotometer design builds on VIAVI's contributions to previous space missions that include Linear Variable Filter technology, including the LEISA instrument on New Horizons that captured spectral images of Jupiter and Pluto, the OVIRS instrument for OSIRIS-REx which explored the surface of the asteroid Bennu, and the MISE instrument on Europa Clipper which will map the surface ice on Jupiter's moon Europa.

About VIAVI
VIAVI (NASDAQ: VIAV) is a global provider of network test, monitoring and assurance solutions for telecommunications, cloud, enterprises, first responders, military, aerospace and railway. VIAVI is also a leader in light management technologies for 3D sensing, anti-counterfeiting, consumer electronics, industrial, automotive, government and aerospace applications. Learn more about VIAVI at www.viavisolutions.com. Follow us on VIAVI Perspectives, LinkedIn and YouTube.

Media Inquiries:
Grand Bridges
Emma Jenkins
emma@grandbridges.com
+1 415 800 4529

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/viavi-delivers-precision-optics-for-nasas-groundbreaking-spherex-mission-302400570.html

SOURCE VIAVI Solutions

FAQ

What is VIAV's role in NASA's SPHEREx mission launched in March 2025?

VIAVI provides important optical components including Linear Variable Filters and a dichroic beamsplitter for the SPHEREx spectrometer, enabling it to capture and analyze infrared signals for cosmic mapping.

What are the technical specifications of VIAVI's optical components for SPHEREx?

VIAVI's Linear Variable Filters split light wavelengths from 0.75-5.0µm, while their dichroic beamsplitter reflects 0.75-2.6µm and transmits 2.6-5.0µm.

Which previous NASA missions has VIAVI contributed to before SPHEREx?

VIAVI has provided technology for the LEISA instrument on New Horizons, OVIRS instrument for OSIRIS-REx, and MISE instrument on Europa Clipper.

What are the main objectives of the SPHEREx mission that VIAV is supporting?

The mission aims to conduct the first all-sky spectral survey in near-infrared range, mapping hundreds of millions of galaxies and stars to study cosmic inflation, galaxy evolution, and origins of water and organic molecules.