NASA satellites in orbit to study space weather

The twin satellites of NASA's TRACERS mission, launched to study how Earth's magnetic shield protects our planet from the effects of space weather , are in orbit . The launch, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, took place from Vandenberg Space Force Station in California, after a 24-hour delay due to a power outage that disrupted air traffic near Vandenberg, over the Pacific Ocean. Once operational, the TRACERS satellites will monitor the phenomenon of magnetic reconnection , which occurs when the solar wind triggers the breaking and reconnection of Earth's magnetic field lines . This reconnection can blast solar wind particles (usually deflected around our planet) directly into our atmosphere at high speeds, triggering auroras and geomagnetic storms.

The two NASA satellites will move in tandem along the same orbit, spaced just minutes apart, to measure magnetic reconnection 3,000 times a year to determine how rapidly it changes and evolves over time. Scientists hope this will help them better predict the impacts of solar activity , such as disruptions to communications satellites , GPS systems , and power grids on Earth. Along with the Tracers , three other NASA payloads were also launched and deployed in orbit. Among them is PExT (Polylingual Experimental Terminal) , which will test a new technology that will allow missions to switch communications networks in space just as cell phones switch providers on Earth.