NASA has launched twin satellites, TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites), atop a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket to study the interaction between Earth’s magnetic field and solar wind. The mission aims to improve our understanding of space weather, which affects satellites, electrical grids, and other critical systems.
The TRACERS satellites will operate in the magnetosphere, the region around Earth dominated by its magnetic field. By studying this interaction, researchers can better predict how energy from the sun impacts Earth’s systems, including GPS signals, power grids, and spacecraft. The goal is to keep our way of life safe here on Earth.
Launched alongside TRACERS were five other small satellites, including one with a new “polylingual” terminal for communicating with multiple satellites and space probes using different protocols. Another satellite will study the radiation budget, while another will focus on high-energy electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts.
The mission’s success is crucial for developing more efficient and cost-effective communication systems between satellites and space probes. The TRACERS satellites will fly in tandem, measuring changes in how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field.
According to NASA officials, understanding this interaction is critical for predicting space weather events that can cause electrical currents in grids, disrupt GPS signals, and accelerate aging in electrical pipelines.
Source: https://spaceflightnow.com/2025/07/23/nasa-probes-to-study-how-the-solar-wind-triggers-potentially-dangerous-space-weather