NASA is preparing to launch a new observatory that will help scientists better understand space weather and the protective bubble that surrounds the solar system
The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is expected to launch off with the SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket at 7:32 AM EDT on Tuesday, September 23, from Launch Complex 39A at the Kennedy Space Centre in Florida.
The mission hopes to explore how the Sun interacts with the heliosphere. The heliosphere is an invisible shield formed by the solar wind that protects Earth from harmful cosmic radiation.
The IMAP will collect data on energetic particles, magnetic fields, and solar activity, enabling scientists to predict space weather better and understand the boundaries of our solar neighbourhood.
Rideshare missions joining IMAP
As well as IMAP, two smaller missions will launch as rideshares: NASA’s Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and the Space Weather Follow-On Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) spacecraft from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).
The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory is designed to observe the geocorona, the outermost layer of Earth’s atmosphere. Using ultraviolet imaging, the satellite will capture the faint glow of hydrogen atoms in this region. This builds on the Apollo program, which recorded these measures first during Apollo 16.
NOAA’s SWFO-L1 will play a big part in space weather forecasting. Stationed about a million miles from Earth at Lagrange Point 1, it will continuously monitor the Sun for signs of solar storms and coronal mass ejections. Its data will serve as an early warning system for potentially disruptive events that could affect satellites, power grids, and communication systems on Earth.
Launch and coverage
NASA will provide live coverage of the launch and prelaunch. Coverage will begin at 6:40 AM EDT on September 23 on NASA+, Amazon Prime Video and other platforms.
The launch can also be followed through audio-only feeds, NASA’s website, and the agency’s Spanish-language channels.
Leading up to the launch, NASA and NOAA will host a series of news conferences and media events. These sessions, taking place on September 21 and 22, will feature mission scientists, engineers, and program leaders discussing the spacecraft, scientific goals, and expected benefits of these missions.
Members of the public can also participate by asking questions using the hashtag #AskNASA on social media. For those interested in more technical coverage, a blog on the IMAP mission will provide real-time updates as countdown milestones are reached.
The following steps for space weather science
IMAP and its two rideshare companions will travel to Lagrange Point 1, a gravitationally stable location between the Earth and Sun. From this vantage point, the observatories will collect continuous data critical to understanding space weather patterns and their potential impact on life and technology.
As our reliance on satellite systems continues to grow, improving space weather forecasting and understanding the boundaries of our solar system becomes increasingly important. The IMAP mission, along with Carruthers and SWFO-L1, marks a significant step forward in protecting Earth and supporting deep space exploration.
For more information, updates, and to watch the launch live, visit nasa.gov.
