SpaceX launches three solar-wind research spacecraft on Falcon 9

USA: SpaceX launches three solar-wind research spacecraft on Falcon 9

Launch Overview

Three scientific spacecraft were launched on September 24, 2025 at 7:30 a.m. EDT from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center, Florida. The payloads included NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP), the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, and NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On–Lagrange 1 (SWFO‑L1) spacecraft. All three missions aim to investigate the solar wind and space‑weather phenomena from their origin at the Sun to the outer reaches of the solar system.

Falcon 9 Vehicle

The launch employed a SpaceX Falcon 9 two‑stage launch vehicle, a workhorse for both government and commercial missions. The rocket’s first stage performed a controlled landing after delivering the payloads to their intended trajectories, demonstrating the reusability that SpaceX promotes for cost‑effective access to space.

IMAP Mission

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe will travel to the Sun‑Earth L1 Lagrange point to map the boundary where the solar wind meets interstellar space. The spacecraft carries instruments designed to measure particle composition, magnetic fields, and plasma waves, thereby addressing key questions about how particles are accelerated in the heliosphere.

Carruthers Geocorona Observatory

The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, also part of the IMAP payload, will focus on the faint outer atmosphere of Earth known as the geocorona. By observing ultraviolet emissions, the observatory will help scientists understand how Earth’s upper atmosphere interacts with the solar wind and contributes to atmospheric loss.

NOAA SWFO‑L1

NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On–Lagrange 1 spacecraft will station at the L1 point to provide continuous monitoring of solar wind conditions. Its sensors will deliver real‑time data on solar particle events, enabling more accurate forecasts of space‑weather impacts on satellite operations, navigation systems, and power grids.

Scientific Collaboration

The joint effort among NASA, NOAA, and SpaceX illustrates a growing partnership between governmental agencies and commercial launch providers. According to a NASA spokesperson, the collaboration accelerates the delivery of critical space‑weather data while leveraging the cost efficiencies of commercial launch services.

Mission Timeline

Following launch, IMAP and the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory are scheduled to reach L1 within approximately two months, where they will commence a primary science phase lasting several years. SWFO‑L1 will achieve its operational orbit shortly after launch and is expected to provide continuous observations for at least five years.

Launch Site Significance

The use of Launch Complex 39A underscores the site’s transition from historic Apollo missions to a modern hub for commercial and scientific launches. The complex, managed by NASA, continues to support a diverse range of missions, reinforcing its role in America’s space infrastructure.

Future Outlook

Data returned from these missions will feed into broader models of heliophysics and improve predictive capabilities for space‑weather events. Researchers anticipate that the combined observations will enhance understanding of how solar activity influences the near‑Earth environment and beyond.Dieser Bericht basiert auf Informationen von NASA, lizenziert unter Public Domain (U.S. Government Work).