NASA and NOAA are set to expand space-weather monitoring with the launch of the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO‑L1), flying to the Sun–Earth L1 point alongside NASA’s IMAP mission. Liftoff remains on track for 7:30 a.m. EDT on a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center.
From roughly one million miles sunward of Earth, the pair will strengthen real-time observations that underpin space-weather forecasting for satellites, communications, navigation, power systems, and crewed and uncrewed missions.
Missions at a glance
The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory is a small satellite designed to continuously image Earth’s exosphere—the outermost atmospheric layer—using ultraviolet cameras tuned to Lyman-alpha emissions. This enables global tracking of the geocorona, a diffuse envelope of neutral hydrogen that extends at least halfway to the Moon. Global observations of the geocorona have been made only a handful of times prior to this mission. Carruthers is named for Dr. George Carruthers, whose pioneering instrument captured the first image of the geocorona.
NOAA’s SWFO‑L1 is the agency’s first purpose-built space-weather satellite. Operating at L1, it will deliver continuous, real-time measurements of solar activity and the solar wind. These data are intended to improve early warning and forecasting of geomagnetic storms, providing lead time for operators to protect critical infrastructure on Earth and in orbit.
Why L1 matters
Lagrange point 1 offers an uninterrupted view of the Sun and an upstream sampling location for the solar wind before it reaches Earth. This vantage provides early indicators of incoming disturbances and a stable geometry for long-duration atmospheric and heliophysics observations. For Carruthers, L1 supports consistent global imaging of the exosphere’s response to solar variability; for SWFO‑L1, it enables high-cadence monitoring needed for operational forecasting.
Roles and partnerships
NOAA funds SWFO‑L1, manages mission operations, and distributes data products to users. On NOAA’s behalf, NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center managed spacecraft development, collaborating with commercial partners on the spacecraft and instruments. NASA leads the Carruthers mission to study how space weather influences Earth’s extended atmosphere, complementing NOAA’s operational measurements.
What to watch next
- Launch and separation: Following liftoff on Falcon 9, the spacecraft will begin their transfers to L1.
- Commissioning: Post-launch checkouts will prepare instruments for continuous science and operational data return.
- Data impact: SWFO‑L1 aims to enhance real-time alerts for power grids, aviation, satellite operators, and spaceflight providers, while Carruthers supplies context on atmospheric dynamics at the edge of space.
Together, these missions are designed to tighten the loop between solar monitoring, near-Earth environmental awareness, and actionable forecasting, supporting both national infrastructure and the commercial space sector.
Source: NASA
