NASA’s TRACERS set to chase solar storms from space – Launch scheduled for July 22

An artist’s concept depicts NASA’s TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) twin satellites in space. TRACERS will fly through Earth’s magnetic cusp to study magnetic interactions between Earth and the solar wind. (Image: NASA)

NASA is ready to launch a special mission that could help us understand the invisible shield protecting our planet. Set for lift-off on 22 July, the TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission promises insight into the way space weather affects life on Earth.

Mission Set for Launch from California Base

The TRACERS spacecraft, riding aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9, will take off from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. The launch window opens at 2:13 p.m. EDT. This mission will explore how the solar wind—a stream of charged particles from the Sun—interacts with Earth’s magnetic shield, known as the magnetosphere.

By studying this connection, scientists hope to better predict space weather events. These can damage power grids, disrupt satellites and pose dangers to astronauts in orbit. The data collected could help improve safety for both people and technology.

NASA’s TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) twin spacecraft arrived at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California. Technicians will integrate the TRACERS spacecraft with the SpaceX Falcon 9 launch vehicle in final preparations for no earlier than summer 2025. (Image: NASA)

Three More Satellites Join TRACERS Flight

Alongside TRACERS, three other NASA payloads will head into space. The Athena EPIC SmallSat, led by NASA’s Langley Research Center, will test a faster, low-cost way to send instruments into orbit. It’s built to support future space missions by saving both time and money.

Also flying is the Polylingual Experimental Terminal, or PExT, a project from NASA’s SCaN team. This tech demo will test how spacecraft can switch between space networks, much like phones switch carriers on Earth. This could improve space communication for future missions.

Lastly, the REAL CubeSat—developed by Dartmouth College—will explore how high-energy particles in Earth’s radiation belts behave. These particles can damage satellites, and this mission will help us understand how to reduce the risk. It also marks a proud moment for New Hampshire, which will see its first CubeSat reach orbit.

A Team Effort Backed by NASA and Universities

The TRACERS mission is led by the University of Iowa, with support from the Southwest Research Institute in Texas. The instruments onboard are developed by teams from Iowa, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and others. NASA’s Launch Services Program is managing the launch under its VADR contract.

Together, these missions aim to support a safer and better-connected future in space. As our world depends more on technology, understanding space weather becomes not just useful but essential.