SWFO-L1 spacecraft rendering. Image Credit: NOAA/BAE Space & Mission Systems
On January 23, 2026, NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) observatory executed its final engine burn, successfully entering its final orbital position at Lagrange point 1. Located roughly one million miles from Earth, this unique vantage point allows the satellite to continuously monitor the sun and space weather before it reaches our planet. The observatory has now been officially renamed to Space Weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness – 1 (SOLAR-1).
“SOLAR-1, America’s first satellite designed exclusively for continuous, operational space weather observations, represents a major advancement in our defense against solar storms,” said Greg Marlow, Director of NOAA’s Office of Space Weather Observations (SWO). “This milestone highlights NOAA’s commitment to building a space weather–ready nation.”
SOLAR-1 will allow SWO to provide users with state-of-the-art data for their timely and accurate forecasts, warnings and alerts. “NOAA space weather observation programs are proud to provide trusted space weather data to safeguard society,” emphasized Richard Ullman, Deputy Director of NOAA’s SWO. “We are committed to monitoring space weather events to protect critical missions, including NASA’s Artemis.”
“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,” said Shawn Dahl, Service Coordinator at NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC).
“Everyone from farmers in the field to crucial system operators and even soldiers in battle can be dramatically affected by space weather events,” Dahl added. “With SOLAR-1, we at SWPC are going to be able to do an even better job of safeguarding society with actionable space weather information.”
Following a comprehensive checkout and validation of its instruments, SOLAR-1 is expected to begin operational service in Spring 2026.
SWFO-L1 launched on September 24, 2025, at 7:30 a.m. EDT, lifting off from Launch Complex 39A at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida, aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch was managed by NASA’s Launch Services Program, based at Kennedy Space Center. Watch the launch broadcast to gain an inside look.