SpaceX’s Falcon 9 has deployed three spacecraft — NASA’s IMAP, the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, and NOAA’s SWFO-L1 — on a trajectory to the Sun–Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1), expanding operational and scientific coverage of space weather. The mission lifted off at 7:30 a.m. EDT on Sept. 24, 2025, from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. Following nominal ascent, all payloads separated and established communications as planned.
Why it matters
Enhanced space-weather monitoring and heliophysics research at L1 will improve forecasting of solar activity that can affect satellites, communications, navigation, power grids, and crewed exploration beyond low Earth orbit. The trio combines operational vigilance with fundamental science, linking the Sun’s variability to conditions at Earth and the boundary of the heliosphere.
Missions at a glance
- IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe): Charts the structure and dynamics of the heliosphere and samples particles from the solar wind and interstellar boundary to investigate how energetic particles are accelerated and transported.
- Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (also referred to as GLIDE): Images Earth’s geocorona in ultraviolet to track how the exosphere responds to solar storms and seasonal variations, advancing understanding of the upper-atmosphere–space environment interface.
- SWFO-L1 (Space Weather Follow On – L1): NOAA’s first dedicated, full-time operational space-weather observatory at L1, providing continuous solar wind, magnetic field, and imagery data to support faster, more accurate forecasts and alerts.
Operations and trajectory
The spacecraft are bound for L1, a gravitational balance point about one million miles (1.5 million kilometers) sunward of Earth that offers an unobstructed, real-time view of the Sun and the upstream solar wind. After cruise and insertion, each spacecraft will complete instrument checkouts and calibrations before entering routine operations.
- Launch and separation from Falcon 9 from KSC LC-39A.
- Cruise phase to Sun–Earth L1 over the coming months.
- Commissioning at L1, followed by transition to science and operational data delivery.
Agency and industry roles
- NASA: Leads IMAP and the Carruthers mission through the Science Mission Directorate and Goddard Space Flight Center; Launch Services Program at Kennedy managed the launch service.
- NOAA: Manages SWFO-L1 as an operational space-weather asset, developed with NASA Goddard and commercial partners.
- Princeton University: IMAP principal investigator leadership.
- Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory: Built and will operate the IMAP spacecraft.
- University of Illinois Urbana–Champaign: Leads the Carruthers mission science.
- UC Berkeley Space Sciences Laboratory: Designed and built the Carruthers ultraviolet imagers.
- BAE Systems: Built the Carruthers spacecraft bus.
- SpaceX: Provided launch via Falcon 9.
What to watch next
Upon arrival at L1 and completion of commissioning, SWFO-L1 will begin continuous operational data return to support forecast centers, while IMAP and Carruthers will commence science campaigns that link solar drivers to geospace and the heliosphere. Results are expected to refine models of solar particle acceleration, improve nowcasting and warning lead times, and strengthen resilience for spacecraft, infrastructure, and future crewed missions.
Source: NASA news release.
