SpaceX Falcon 9 – IMAP, SWFO-L1 & GLIDE Launch

Launch Time: 7:30 AM EDT

• Payloads:

  • IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) – A NASA mission to map the edge of our solar system’s protective bubble, the heliosphere, and study how particles are accelerated in space.

  • SWFO-L1 (Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1) – A NOAA mission monitoring solar storms that can disrupt power grids, satellites, and communications on Earth.

  • Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (GLIDE) – Also known as Global Lyman-alpha Imagers of the Dynamic Exosphere, this NASA mission will measure ultraviolet light from hydrogen in Earth’s exosphere, the planet’s outermost atmospheric layer, nearly halfway to the Moon. GLIDE will help scientists understand how Earth’s atmosphere responds to solar activity and space weather.

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Why This Launch Matters

This is a triple-payload science mission that unites:

• Exploration of the solar system’s frontier (IMAP)

• Protection of Earth from space weather hazards (SWFO-L1)

• Observation of Earth’s outer atmosphere (GLIDE)

Together, these satellites will expand knowledge of how the Sun interacts with both Earth and the galaxy beyond.

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Viewing Tips for Tourists

• Where to Watch: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Jetty Park, Playalinda Beach, or riverfront parks in Titusville for sweeping views.

• Best Experience: Arrive early and pair the launch with a visit to KSC’s space exhibits.

• Livestream Option: Watch online via SpaceX’s webcast.

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Did You Know? GLIDE is named in honor of George Carruthers, the pioneering astrophysicist who developed the first telescope to capture ultraviolet images from space during the Apollo 16 mission.

🔗 For additional details and live coverage, visit the SpaceX Launches page.

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