Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe
The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is a heliophysics mission that will simultaneously investigate two important and coupled science topics in the heliosphere: the acceleration of energetic particles and interaction of the solar wind with the local interstellar medium. These science topics are coupled because particles accelerated in the inner heliosphere play crucial roles in the outer heliospheric interaction. In 2018, NASA selected a team led by David J. McComas of Princeton University to implement the mission, which is currently planned to launch in February 2025. IMAP will be a Sun-tracking spin-stabilized satellite in orbit about the Sun–Earth L1 Lagrange point with a science payload of ten instruments. IMAP will also continuously broadcast real-time in-situ data that can be used for space weather prediction.
Artist concept of IMAP imaging the heliospheric boundary. | |
| Names | IMAP |
|---|---|
| Mission type | Heliosphere research |
| Operator | Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Website | https://imap.princeton.edu/ |
| Mission duration | 3 years (planned) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Manufacturer | Applied Physics Laboratory |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1 February 2025 (planned) |
| Rocket | Falcon 9 Block 5 |
| Launch site | CCSFS, LC-40 |
| Contractor | SpaceX |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Heliocentric orbit |
| Regime | Halo orbit (L1) |
| Instruments | |
| 10 instruments | |
It is the fifth mission selected in the Solar Terrestrial Probes program, after TIMED, Hinode, STEREO and MMS.