NASA Invites Media to a Rare Preview of IMAP, Carruthers and NOAA’s New Space Weather Observatory
What’s happening: NASA is opening the doors for journalists to photograph and interview experts about three space missions — the IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe), the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory, and NOAA’s SWFO-L1 (Space Weather Follow On–Lagrange 1). The event is scheduled for Thursday, Aug. 28 at the Astrotech Space Operations payload processing facility in Titusville, Florida.
How to attend (media details)
Media who want to join must RSVP online by 11:59 p.m. on Tuesday, Aug. 19 via NASA’s media site: media.ksc.nasa.gov. Confirmed reporters will receive additional guidance and logistics after registration.
What reporters will see and who they’ll meet
Attendees will get an up-close look at all three spacecraft and have access to subject-matter experts representing each mission — a rare opportunity before these observatories depart for space. The media advisory highlights photo ops and expert briefings as part of the visit.
Why these missions matter
IMAP will map the edge of the heliosphere — the Sun’s enormous magnetic bubble that shields our solar system — and study how the Sun accelerates charged particles. IMAP carries 10 science instruments that will also deliver near real-time space weather data to Earth-based scientists.
Carruthers uses ultraviolet cameras to image the geocorona, the faint outer glow of Earth’s upper atmosphere. These observations will help researchers understand how solar activity interacts with and shapes Earth’s exosphere.
NOAA’s SWFO-L1 will continuously monitor the Sun and solar wind from Lagrange Point 1, providing 24/7 space-weather tracking and early warnings of solar eruptions — information that helps protect satellites, power grids, aviation and navigation systems.
Launch timing and destination
NASA is targeting a launch no earlier than September for all three missions, which will ride to space together aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 from Launch Complex 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Once on their way, the spacecraft will travel to Lagrange Point 1 (about one million miles from Earth toward the Sun), where they will hold a steady position to continuously observe space weather.
Facility rules & who can attend
Because of strict cleanliness requirements around the spacecraft, access is limited. The invitation is open only to U.S. citizens, with a limit of two people per media outlet. Attendees must present valid government-issued photo ID and proof of U.S. citizenship (passport or birth certificate).
Media must follow cleanroom guidelines on-site: wear designated cleanroom garments, avoid perfumes or cosmetics, use approved footwear (no high heels), and clean camera gear under the supervision of contamination-control specialists. All electronics must be placed in airplane mode in restricted areas. NASA will provide full instructions to approved media.
What the science will help protect
Together, IMAP, Carruthers and SWFO-L1 will improve real-time space weather monitoring and forecasts. This data helps operators take precautionary steps to safeguard satellites, electrical grids, communications networks, and navigation systems on Earth and in orbit. In short — these missions help protect critical infrastructure and national interests from solar storms.
Press contacts & accreditation: NASA’s media accreditation information is available online; questions about accreditation can be sent to ksc-media-accreditat@mail.nasa.gov. For direct press contacts listed with the advisory, see the official NASA release.
Sources: NASA news release and mission pages (IMAP, Carruthers, NOAA SWFO-L1). Official mission pages: NASA (news release), NASA Science IMAP blog, NOAA NESDIS SWFO-L1 pages.
