NASA is offering an exclusive opportunity for select media representatives to witness the final preparations of three pioneering space observatories, each designed to deepen our understanding of the Sun’s influence on Earth and the broader cosmos. Scheduled for launch no earlier than September aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Kennedy Space Center, these missions represent a strategic leap in heliophysics and space weather forecasting.

The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) will explore the outer boundaries of the heliosphere, the vast magnetic bubble that shields our solar system from interstellar radiation. Alongside it, the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory will capture ultraviolet imagery to study how solar particles interact with Earth’s upper atmosphere. Completing the trio is NOAA’s Space Weather Follow-On mission, SWFO-L1, which will serve as a vigilant monitor for solar eruptions, providing critical early warnings to protect global infrastructure and communication networks.

All three spacecraft are destined for Lagrange Point 1, a gravitationally balanced location nearly one million miles from Earth, where they will maintain a stable position between our planet and the Sun. This vantage point allows uninterrupted observation of solar activity and its cascading effects.

NASA’s media event is set for August 28 at the Astrotech Space Operations facility in Titusville, Florida. Attendees will gain rare access to the spacecraft and engage directly with mission scientists. Due to cleanroom protocols, registration is required by August 19, and space is limited.

This initiative reflects NASA’s commitment to transparency and scientific collaboration, offering a glimpse into the technologies that will shape our planetary resilience and cosmic awareness in the years ahead.