BAE Systems Celebrates Successful Launch of Spacecraft for NASA and NOAA

Successful Launch of Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and SWFO-L1

On September 24, 2025, BAE Systems marked a significant milestone in space exploration with the successful launch of two spacecraft from Kennedy Space Center, Florida. This launch, conducted on a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, supports critical missions by NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) that focus on heliophysics and space weather monitoring.

The two spacecraft, NASA's Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and NOAA's Space Weather Follow On – L1 (SWFO-L1), are set to orbit at Lagrange point 1, located approximately one million miles from Earth. This strategic position is essential for their observational capabilities, which aim to enhance our understanding of space weather and its impact on Earth's exosphere, the outermost layer of the atmosphere.

The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory is poised to be a trailblazer in heliophysics, as it will analyze the Sun's influence over the exosphere during both periods of solar calm and heightened solar activity. According to Bonnie Patterson, vice president and general manager of Civil Space for BAE Systems Space Mission Systems, the mission will provide invaluable insights into how the Sun affects the exosphere's shape, size, and density, particularly during events of intense solar storms.

Meanwhile, the SWFO-L1 mission will function as a sentinel, tracking coronal mass ejections and measuring solar wind in real-time. By continuously monitoring these phenomena, SWFO-L1 is expected to deliver early warnings of potentially disruptive space weather events. This capability is crucial to safeguard both terrestrial and satellite infrastructure from adverse space weather impacts.

Both spacecraft were designed and built based on BAE Systems' heritage Evolve spacecraft platform, which streamlines the design process by using common components and interfaces. This method significantly reduces costs and delivery times for such complex projects. The successful launch of these satellites is a testament to the thorough engineering, design, and testing protocols adhered to during their development phases.

BAE Systems collaborated with several renowned institutions for this project. The Carruthers Geocorona Observatory was developed in partnership with the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign, with Dr. Lara Waldrop leading the mission as the principal investigator, alongside contributions from the University of California, Berkeley, and NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center. Similarly, NOAA's National Environmental Satellite Data and Information Service (NESDIS) partnered with NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center for the SWFO-L1 mission.

In conjunction with the Carruthers and SWFO-L1 launch, NASA also sent the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) into orbit. This collective endeavor represents an exciting leap in our exploration of heliophysics and space weather phenomena. BAE Systems not only facilitated the design and launch of these satellites but also trained the flight operations teams and is set to support ongoing mission operations.

With the growing demand for space weather information and the advancements in technology, the successful deployment of the Carruthers Geocorona Observatory and SWFO-L1 will undoubtedly advance our understanding of the Sun and its effects on the Earth. As we look to the future, these missions will contribute significantly to protecting our planet and its infrastructure from the hazards posed by space weather.