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4h ago

NASA’s IMAP Set for Sept. 23 Launch to Map the Solar System’s Protective Bubble

From the Sun–Earth L1 point, the 10‑instrument probe will deliver higher‑resolution heliosphere imaging via energetic neutral atoms to strengthen space‑weather forecasting.

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NASA/Princeton University/Patrick McPike
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Overview

  • NASA says the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe is targeted to launch no earlier than Sept. 23, 2025, to investigate the heliosphere’s boundary.
  • Positioned about 1 million miles from Earth at L1, IMAP will provide near‑real‑time solar‑wind readings with roughly a 30‑minute warning for dangerous particles.
  • Three of IMAP’s 10 instruments will capture energetic neutral atoms to build maps of the heliosphere at about 30× the resolution of the IBEX mission.
  • The spacecraft will directly measure interstellar dust to analyze its elemental composition and origins beyond the solar system.
  • The mission is led by principal investigator David McComas with 27 international partners, built and operated by Johns Hopkins APL, and is scheduled to fly on a Falcon 9 from Kennedy with NASA’s Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and NOAA’s SWFO‑L1 rideshares.