SOLAR-1 monitors solar eruptions and serves as an early warning beacon for disruptive space weather events that could impact our technologically dependent infrastructure and industries. SOLAR-1 delivers real-time data to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), enabling faster and more accurate forecasts, watches, and warnings. This critical information helps protect the nation's power grid, communication and navigation systems, and supports the safety of astronauts and space-based infrastructure. Key industries and assets vulnerable to space weather are listed in the graphic.
The Mission
SOLAR-1 keeps a watchful eye on the sun and near-Earth environment for space weather activity, using a special telescope, called a compact coronagraph, to monitor the sun's activity in addition to a suite of instruments to make real-time measurements of the solar wind. The 24/7 data stream from SOLAR-1 to NOAA’s Space Weather Prediction Center gives operators critical lead time to take precautionary actions that protect vital infrastructure, economic interests, and national security both on Earth and in space.
SOLAR-1 is the first NOAA satellite designed specifically for and fully dedicated to continuous, operational space weather observations.
Originally named SWFO-L1, the satellite was renamed Space weather Observations at L1 to Advance Readiness (SOLAR)-1 once it reached its intended orbit [around the Sun-Earth Lagrange 1 point]. It will be followed by SOLAR-2 and other missions in NOAA’s Space Weather Next program to ensure continuity and expand capabilities.
Space weather impacts the technology we use every day. Credit: NOAA
Real-time Data
SOLAR-1 constantly streams data down to Earth without interruption and obstruction, offering improved performance and faster delivery of observations to NOAA’s SWPC.
For example, coronal mass ejection (CME) imagery from SOLAR-1’s coronagraph is in the hands of SWPC forecasters within 30 minutes of acquisition, compared to research observatories and instruments, such as SOHO’s coronagraph with imaging that can take up to 8 hours.
Furthermore, in situ data from SOLAR-1’s Solar Wind Plasma Sensor (SWiPS), SupraThermal Ion Sensor (STIS), and magnetometer (MAG) is available within 5 minutes.
The four instruments onboard SOLAR-1 collect real-time data and measurements of solar wind, thermal plasma and the magnetic field. These observations are critical in the accuracy of the space weather warnings from NOAA’s SWPC.
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