NASA’s TRACERS mission has successfully launched on a Falcon 9 rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base in California, marking the first step towards protecting Earth from space weather. The twin satellites, composed of TRACERS and two private spacecraft, LIDE and Skykraft 4, will study how surges in the solar wind trigger magnetic reconnection in Earth’s magnetosphere.
TRACERS is designed to observe the snapping and reconnecting of magnetic field lines as solar storms overwhelm them, providing valuable insights into how charged particles are funneled down the magnetic cusps over the poles. This process leads to auroral lights and geomagnetic storms, which can have significant effects on our planet’s climate.
The mission uses a unique approach by having two satellites in close proximity to each other, allowing researchers to monitor changes in areas of Earth’s magnetic field undergoing reconnection over short time frames. The launch comes after SpaceX had to delay the attempt due to airspace concerns.
TRACERS is not flying alone; it is accompanied by three additional NASA missions, including a new technology demonstrating efficient placement of remote-sensing instruments and another showcasing improved satellite connectivity. The Falcon 9’s first stage successfully landed at Vandenberg just under eight minutes after liftoff, marking the 16th mission for this particular booster.
The TRACERS mission aims to enhance our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth, providing a crucial step towards protecting our planet from potential threats.
Source: https://www.space.com/science/nasa-launching-tracers-mission-to-protect-earth-from-space-weather-today-how-to-watch-live