NOAA solar observatory reaches Lagrange point 1

SAN FRANCISCO — The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s latest space weather observatory has reached Lagrange point 1.

The Space Weather Follow On — Lagrange 1 executed its final engine burn Jan. 23 to reach its destination roughly 1.6 million kilometers from Earth. It was then renamed SOLAR-1, short for Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness.

SOLAR-1, launched in September on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, is equipped with a Solar Wind Plasma Sensor, SupraThermal Ion Sensor, Magnetometer and Compact Coronagraph to monitor the sun and space weather.

“SOLAR-1, America’s first satellite designed exclusively for continuous, operational space weather observations, represents a major advancement in our defense against solar storms,” Greg Marlow, Director of NOAA’s Office of Space Weather Observations, said in a statement. “This milestone highlights NOAA’s commitment to building a space weather–ready nation.”

Richard Ullman, NOAA Space Weather Office deputy director, added in a statement, “We are committed to monitoring space weather events to protect critical missions, including NASA’s Artemis” lunar exploration program.

BAE Systems won a $96.9 million contract in 2020 build, integrate and operate the space weather satellite. SOLAR-1 is scheduled to enter operational service in the spring after instrument checkout and validation.

“The SOLAR-1 spacecraft is going to be an impressive new tool in our arsenal for space weather monitoring and prediction — not only for our nation, but the entire world — because space weather is a global concern,” Shawn Dahl, NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center service coordinator, said in a statement.