NASA Launches Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe-IMAP

1. Mission Overview

• Agency: The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
• Mission: Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP).
• Aim of the primary goal: To research the mechanisms of energy gain of solar particles and to better understand the space environment to assist in protecting the earth.

2. Key Scientific Objectives

• Probe the Heliosphere: IMAP will carry out a study and map out the edges of the heliosphere- the magnetic bubble that the solar wind forms around the entire solar system and keeps us safe.
• Trace Energetic Particles: The probe will examine how particles in the solar and cosmic systems are accelerated.
• Enhance Space Weather Forecasting: Through this study, the mission will help us better predict the space weather, which can cause satellite disruption, power grid and communication problems on the ground.

3. Technical Execution

• Instruments: The spacecraft would contain 10 sophisticated scientific instruments to provide a complete collection of data regarding the interactions of particles.
• Orbital Location: IMAP will be stationed at the Sun-Earth Lagrange Point 1 (L1) which is a point of gravitational equilibrium that is about 1.6 million kilometers away form Earth. The place offers a continuous observation of the Sun and the heliosphere.

About NASA

• Established: 1958
• Head office: Washington, D.C., United States.