![\"Technicians](\"https:\/\/www.nasa.gov\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/08\/imap-advisory-aug-8.jpg\")
<\/a><\/figure>NASA invites media to view the agency\u2019s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) spacecraft and two other missions \u2014 the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration\u2019s (NOAA) Space Weather Follow On\u2013Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) observatory, which will launch along with IMAP as rideshares.<\/p>\n
Media will have the opportunity to photograph the three spacecraft and speak with subject matter experts representing all three missions. The event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 28, at the Astrotech Space Operations payload processing facility in Titusville, Florida. Confirmed media will receive additional details after registering.<\/p>\n
To participate in the event, media must RSVP by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19, by submitting their request online at: https:\/\/media.ksc.nasa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n The IMAP mission will study the heliosphere, a vast magnetic bubble created by the Sun that protects our solar system from radiation incoming from interstellar space. Carruthers will use its ultraviolet cameras to monitor how material from the Sun impacts the outermost part of Earth\u2019s atmosphere. The SWFO-L1 mission will observe solar eruptions, and monitor incoming space weather 24\/7, providing early warnings and validating forecasts that protect vital communication and navigation infrastructure, economic interests, and national security, both on Earth and in space.<\/p>\n NASA is targeting no earlier than September for the launch of these three missions on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Launch Complex 39A at the agency\u2019s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.<\/p>\n NASA\u2019s media accreditation policy<\/a> is available online. For questions about accreditation, please email: ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov<\/a>.<\/p>\n Facility Access<\/strong> Media attending this event must comply with cleanroom guidelines. This includes wearing specific cleanroom garments; avoiding cologne, cosmetics, and high-heeled shoes; cleaning camera equipment under the supervision or assistance of contamination control specialists; and placing all electronics in airplane mode in the designated areas near the spacecraft. NASA will provide detailed guidance to approved media.<\/p>\n Observatories Information<\/strong> The Carruthers<\/a> observatory will image the glow of ultraviolet light emitted by the uppermost parts of Earth\u2019s atmosphere \u2014 called the geocorona \u2014 to help researchers understand how our planet\u2019s atmosphere is shaped by conditions in space. NOAA\u2019s SWFO-L1<\/a> will use its suite of instruments to sample the solar wind and interplanetary magnetic field, while its onboard coronagraph will detect coronal mass ejections and other solar events. Together, these real-time observations of space weather enable precautionary actions to protect satellites, power grids, aviation, and communication and navigation technology.<\/p>\n Learn more about NASA\u2019s IMAP at:<\/p>\n https:\/\/science.nasa.gov\/mission\/imap\/<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n -end-<\/p>\n Abbey Interrante Sarah Frazier Leejay Lockhart
Due to spacecraft cleanliness requirements, this invitation is open to a limited number of media with no more than two individuals per media organization. This event is open to U.S. citizens who possess a valid government-issued photo identification and proof of U.S. citizenship, such as a passport or birth certificate.<\/p>\n
The three observatories are preparing to launch to Lagrange point 1, which lies about a million miles from Earth toward the Sun. There, they will orbit this gravitational balance point, holding a steady position between Earth and the Sun. NASA\u2019s IMAP<\/a> will use its 10 instruments to map the heliosphere\u2019s edge and reveal how the Sun accelerates charged particles, filling in essential puzzle pieces to understand the space weather environment across the solar system. The mission\u2019s varied instruments also will provide near real-time space weather data to scientists on Earth.<\/p>\n
Headquarters, Washington
301-201-0124
abbey.a.interrante@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Goddard Space Flight Center, Greenbelt, Md.
202-853-7191
sarah.frazier@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\n
Kennedy Space Center, Florida
321-747-8310
leejay.lockhart@nasa.gov<\/a><\/p>\nShare<\/h2>\n<\/p><\/div>\n