IMAP

IMAP (for Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) is a NASA mission to study the solar wind and its interaction with the surrounding interstellar medium. It provides real-time data useful regarding space weather. IMAP is located at Earth-Sun Lagrangian point L1. It was launched in September 2025 (with SOLAR-1), reached L1 in January 2026 and officially began normal operation in February 2026. Instruments:

• IMAP-Lo.
• IMAP-Hi.
• IMAP-Ultra.

These are three sensors for energetic neutral atoms at three energy levels: they sense from away from the ecliptic, and the atoms are assumed to come from the heliosheath or beyond, where particles from the Sun interact with the ISM. Additional particle detectors:

• SWE - Solar Wind Electron (sensor).
• SWAPI - Solar Wind and Pick-up Ion (sensor).
• CoDICE - Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment.
• HIT - High-energy Ion Telescope.

Other instruments:

• MAG - Magnetometer.
• IDEX - Interstellar Dust Experiment.
• GLOWS - Global Solar Wind Structure: images the solar wind from scattered hydrogen and helium spectral lines.