Welcome to FLORIDA TODAY's live coverage of the launch of NASA's IMAP! A suite of three solar science missions are set to blast off into the morning sky from the Space Coast on Wednesday.

The spacecraft will study the solar system's edge, magnetic fields in interplanetary space, and remnants of exploded stars.

NASA and SpaceX are set for the launch of the agency’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) from Florida on Wednesday morning. Joining IMAP atop a Falcon 9 are two additional rideshare payloads: NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On-Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) and the joint NASA/University of Illinois Carruthers Geocorona Observatory.

McComas, a professor of astrophysical sciences and associated faculty in mechanical and aerospace engineering, is the principal investigator for the entire NASA science mission.  Rankin, a research scholar and lecturer in astrophysical sciences,

NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) completed its Flight Readiness Review on Sept. 18, which certifies its readiness to initiate final launch preparation activities.

NASA’s Princeton-led mission to explore the solar system’s boundary is now set to launch its probe on Sept. 24 from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Princeton Professor of Astrophysical Sciences David McComas serves as the principal investigator for the IMAP mission.

NASA’s IMAP mission, led by Princeton University’s David McComas, will study the heliosphere — the invisible electromagnetic shield that protects our solar system — to better understand this mysterious boundary and provide critical solar storm monitoring.

Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) is managing the payload of instruments aboard NASA’s Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft scheduled to launch Wednesday, September 24, 2025 at 7:30 a.