Livestream of the IMAP Assembly

https://imap.princeton.edu/clean-room-video-feed

The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) is a NASA mission designed to study the heliosphere and its interaction with the interstellar medium. The spacecraft comprises several key components:

1. Scientific Instruments:

IMAP is equipped with ten specialized instruments to achieve its scientific objectives:

Charged Particle-Sensing Instrument Installed on IMAP.. 11/21/2024https://t.co/iE9SrsSQp7 pic.twitter.com/LyKSOFvat5

— AllenZ (@rondaz_4) November 21, 2024

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• IMAP-Lo: Captures low-energy neutral atoms to map the boundary of the heliosphere.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/imap-lo

• IMAP-Hi: Detects higher-energy neutral atoms for detailed heliospheric imaging.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/imap-hi

• IMAP-Ultra: Targets ultra-high-energy particles to study acceleration processes.

https://www.jhuapl.edu/destinations/instruments/imap-ultra

• GLOWS (Global Solar Wind Structure): Observes solar wind interactions with the interstellar medium.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/glows

Proszę państwa, nasz instrument GLOWS na misję NASA IMAP,zobaczył pierwsze światło 🦾🦾🦾🚀 pic.twitter.com/USQkPSd9de

— Centrum Badań Kosmicznych PAN (@CBK_pan) November 28, 2022

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• IDEX (Interstellar Dust Experiment): Analyzes interstellar dust particles entering the heliosphere.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/idex

Poster this morning at #SmallSat2023: "Utilizing Rigid-Flex PWBs to Reduce Weight and Complexity of Integrated Electro-Mechanical Assemblies, Demonstrated by the Electrostatic Optics Design of the IMAP-IDEX Instrument" by LASP's Chip Bollendonk et al. 9:45am in the Fieldhouse. pic.twitter.com/4qIVAdPbrY

— LASP (@LASPatCU) August 9, 2023

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• MAG (Magnetometer): Measures magnetic fields to understand their influence on particle behavior.

https://www.imperial.ac.uk/news/251494/imperial-built-instrument-jets-nasa-ahead-major/

With @spacegovuk support, Imperial physicists built a magnetometer (MAG) instrument for the mission, which will measure the interplanetary magnetic field around the IMAP spacecraft.

Principal Investigator Prof Tim Horbury (left) talks us through the installation 👇 pic.twitter.com/ShcgNEoqpO

— Imperial College London (@imperialcollege) October 2, 2024

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• SWE (Solar Wind Electron): Monitors solar wind electron properties.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/swe

• SWAPI (Solar Wind and Pickup Ion): Studies solar wind ions and pickup ions from the interstellar medium.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/swapi

• CoDICE (Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment): Analyzes ion composition in the solar wind.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/codice

• HIT (High Energy Ion Telescope): Measures the elemental composition, energy spectra, angle distributions, and arrival times of high-energy ions.

https://imap.princeton.edu/instruments/hit

The first instrument, IDEX, has been delivered to the IMAP – Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe mission. My instrument, the High-energy Ion Telescope (HIT) will be delivered in two months. I'm also Deputy PI for the IMAP mission. https://t.co/yfNDJBmfrf pic.twitter.com/TUpWyCw206

— Eric Christian (@Eric_helio) January 20, 2024

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These instruments collectively enable comprehensive analysis of particles and fields within the heliosphere. 

2. Spacecraft Bus:

NASA’s IMAP spacecraft completes mission critical design review, moves closer to 2025 launchhttps://t.co/qBj1oLJX3q pic.twitter.com/NNmSeam7PP

— Southwest Research Institute (@SwRI) February 14, 2023

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The spacecraft bus serves as the structural framework and houses essential subsystems:

• Power Subsystem: Generates and distributes electrical power, primarily through solar panels.

• Communication Subsystem: Facilitates data transmission between IMAP and Earth-based stations.

• Thermal Control Subsystem: Maintains optimal operating temperatures for instruments and electronics.

• Attitude Determination and Control Subsystem (ADCS): Ensures precise orientation and stability, crucial for accurate data collection.

These subsystems work in concert to support the mission’s scientific goals. 

3. Propulsion System:

IMAP utilizes a propulsion system for trajectory adjustments and station-keeping at the Sun-Earth L1 Lagrange point, ensuring a stable observational platform. 

4. Structural Components:

The spacecraft’s structure provides support and protection for all instruments and subsystems, designed to withstand the rigors of launch and the space environment. 

These components collectively enable IMAP to fulfill its mission of exploring the heliosphere and its boundary with interstellar space.

References:

LISM (Local Inter-Stellar Medium) Properties and Composition (O1)

https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/imap#lism-local-inter-stellar-medium-properties-and-composition-o1

Charged Particle-Sensing Instrument Installed on IMAP

Desiree Apodaca

https://blogs.nasa.gov/imap/