NASA launches space weather research mission
On September 24, the US National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) launched three spacecraft to enhance its ability to monitor space weather such as solar storms, which can affect technology and electrical systems on Earth.
The three probes were launched from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida on a Falcon 9 rocket built by the private company SpaceX. After reaching orbit, the spacecraft will make a long journey to the Lagrange 1 point – a position about 1.5 million km from the Sun, where there is a stable observation range for research.
The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) will use instruments to study high-energy particles from the Sun and the magnetic bubble surrounding the Solar System, called the heliosphere. This data will provide information about space weather and cosmic radiation.
Solar flares are powerful radiation events that occur as a result of solar flares on the surface of the Sun, and are difficult to predict. They can affect many activities on Earth, including aviation, mobile communications, and power grids – and pose a threat to the safety of astronauts and satellites in space.
Meanwhile, the Space Weather Follow-on (SWFO-L1) spacecraft operated by the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is designed to detect space weather patterns early.
While the threat cannot be prevented, it can buy time for people to prepare, said NOAA’s Irene Parker. With timely warning, officials can protect astronauts, warn airline pilots of potential GPS disruptions and adjust the power grid to cope.
In addition, the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory – the third spacecraft in the mission – will study the Earth's exosphere to better understand the impact of space weather on this area./.