{ "id": 14827, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa", "description": "NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, or TRACERS, is embarking on its integration and testing campaign, during which all of the instruments and components will be added to the spacecraft structure, tested to ensure they will survive the harsh environments of launch and space, and made ready to execute its mission. The TRACERS mission will help scientists understand an explosive process called magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic fields and particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth, such as auroras and disruptions to telecommunications.Below are clips of TRACERS’ instrument design, build, and testing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.Learn more about the mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tracers/ || ", "release_date": "2025-04-24T15:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2025-04-23T09:54:44.701882-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 1154631, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_12_print.jpg", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_12_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: Andrew Carton, TRACERS aerospace engineer, conducts final tests on the TRACERS instruments while they’re bolted onto the mock spacecraft “Flat Sat” in a clean room at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa, before the instrument suite was packed and shipped to Millennium Space Systems in California.Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon", "width": 1024, "height": 682, "pixels": 698368 }, "main_video": null, "main_credits": {}, "progress": "Complete", "media_groups": [ { "id": 377924, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/#media_group_377924", "widget": "Basic text with HTML", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, or TRACERS, is embarking on its integration and testing campaign, during which all of the instruments and components will be added to the spacecraft structure, tested to ensure they will survive the harsh environments of launch and space, and made ready to execute its mission.

The TRACERS mission will help scientists understand an explosive process called magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic fields and particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth, such as auroras and disruptions to telecommunications.

Below are clips of TRACERS’ instrument design, build, and testing at the University of Iowa in Iowa City, Iowa.

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Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner

", "items": [ { "id": 469648, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154614, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_print.jpg", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "B-Roll: Magnetometer brackets – which will act as the structural components that connect TRACERS’ Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG) and Magnetic Search Coil (MSC) instruments to the spacecraft – are fabricated in the physics and astronomy machine shop on the University of Iowa campus. Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner", "width": 1024, "height": 640, "pixels": 655360 } }, { "id": 469649, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154615, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_web.png", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_web.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "B-Roll: Magnetometer brackets – which will act as the structural components that connect TRACERS’ Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG) and Magnetic Search Coil (MSC) instruments to the spacecraft – are fabricated in the physics and astronomy machine shop on the University of Iowa campus. Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner", "width": 320, "height": 200, "pixels": 64000 } }, { "id": 469650, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154616, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_thm.png", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.00001_thm.png", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "B-Roll: Magnetometer brackets – which will act as the structural components that connect TRACERS’ Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG) and Magnetic Search Coil (MSC) instruments to the spacecraft – are fabricated in the physics and astronomy machine shop on the University of Iowa campus. Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner", "width": 80, "height": 40, "pixels": 3200 } }, { "id": 469663, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154629, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.webm", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.webm", "media_type": "Movie", "alt_text": "B-Roll: Magnetometer brackets – which will act as the structural components that connect TRACERS’ Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG) and Magnetic Search Coil (MSC) instruments to the spacecraft – are fabricated in the physics and astronomy machine shop on the University of Iowa campus. Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner", "width": 2560, "height": 1600, "pixels": 4096000 } }, { "id": 469617, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154583, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.mov", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_MachineShop.mov", "media_type": "Movie", "alt_text": "B-Roll: Magnetometer brackets – which will act as the structural components that connect TRACERS’ Fluxgate Magnetometer (MAG) and Magnetic Search Coil (MSC) instruments to the spacecraft – are fabricated in the physics and astronomy machine shop on the University of Iowa campus. Credit: University of Iowa / David Scrivner", "width": 2560, "height": 1600, "pixels": 4096000 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 377927, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/#media_group_377927", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Photo: TRACERS’ main electronics box will act as the communications center for the spacecraft’s six onboard instruments. Embedded in the box is a purple guitar pick, a tribute to former TRACERS principal investigator and musician, Craig Kletzing, who died in August 2023.

Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

", "items": [ { "id": 469619, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154585, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_02.JPG", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_02.JPG", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: David Sheets, TRACERS research engineer and systems engineer for the Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument, conducts electromagnetic interference tests for TRACERS’ main electronics box – the communications center for all six of the mission’s instruments – in Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon", "width": 8256, "height": 5504, "pixels": 45441024 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 377929, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/#media_group_377929", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Photo: Jasper Halekas, lead for the Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument, gestures to a chamber used for the final calibration tests that will ensure ACE will make accurate measurements in Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.

Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

", "items": [ { "id": 469632, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154598, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_14.jpg", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_14.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: Final tests are conducted on the TRACERS instruments while they’re bolted onto the mock spacecraft “Flat Sat” in a clean room at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa, before the instrument suite was packed and shipped to Millennium Space Systems in California.Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon", "width": 8256, "height": 5504, "pixels": 45441024 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 377942, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/#media_group_377942", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Photo: The Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument, housed in Mylar – a protective polyester film – is readied for the vibration table – which simulates the instrument’s ability to withstand the rigors of spaceflight – at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.

Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

", "items": [ { "id": 469633, "type": "media", "extra_data": null, "title": null, "caption": null, "instance": { "id": 1154599, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014827/14827_TRACERSUIowa_15.jpg", "filename": "14827_TRACERSUIowa_15.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: The Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument, housed in Mylar – a protective polyester film – is readied for the vibration table – which simulates the instrument’s ability to withstand the rigors of spaceflight – at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon", "width": 8256, "height": 5504, "pixels": 45441024 } } ], "extra_data": {} }, { "id": 377943, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14827/#media_group_377943", "widget": "Single image", "title": "", "caption": "", "description": "Photo: Jasper Halekas, Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument lead, checks data during final calibration testing – which took place in the chamber on the left – for the ACE instrument at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.

Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon

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Orange particles and shading represent an artistic rendering of what flying through the polar cusp would look like if the region was visible to the naked eye.", "width": 1024, "height": 576, "pixels": 589824 } }, { "id": 14829, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14829/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "TRACERS Thermal Vacuum Testing at Millennium Space Systems", "description": "NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, or TRACERS, is embarking on its integration and testing campaign, during which all of the instruments and components will be added to the spacecraft structure, tested to ensure they will survive the harsh environments of launch and space, and made ready to execute its mission. The TRACERS mission will help scientists understand an explosive process called magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic fields and particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth, such as auroras and disruptions to telecommunications.Below are clips of Millennium Space Systems’ team members conducting Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing at the Boeing Space Systems Laboratory in El Segundo, California.Learn more about the mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tracers/ || ", "release_date": "2025-04-25T10:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2025-06-02T12:39:50.809899-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 1154712, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014829/14829_TRACERS_TVAC_06_print.jpg", "filename": "14829_TRACERS_TVAC_06_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: Millennium Space Systems team members prepare the TRACERS spacecraft for Thermal Vacuum (TVAC) testing at Boeing Space Systems Laboratory in El Segundo, CA. The testing will ensure it can withstand the harsh conditions of space.Credit: Millennium Space Systems", "width": 1024, "height": 682, "pixels": 698368 } }, { "id": 14828, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14828/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "TRACERS Testing & Integration at Millennium Space Systems", "description": "NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, or TRACERS, is embarking on its integration and testing campaign, during which all of the instruments and components will be added to the spacecraft structure, tested to ensure they will survive the harsh environments of launch and space, and made ready to execute its mission. The TRACERS mission will help scientists understand an explosive process called magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic fields and particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth, such as auroras and disruptions to telecommunications.Below are clips of TRACERS’ testing and integration at the Millennium Space Systems Small Satellite Factory in El Segundo, California. Learn more about the mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tracers/ || ", "release_date": "2025-04-24T15:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2025-04-24T15:39:33.272117-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 1154698, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014828/14828_TRACERSMillenniumSpaceSystems_06_print.jpg", "filename": "14828_TRACERSMillenniumSpaceSystems_06_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Photo: One of two TRACERS spacecraft is prepared for spin testing inside a clean room at Millennium Space Systems Small Satellite Factory in El Segundo, CA. Credit: Millennium Space Systems", "width": 1024, "height": 682, "pixels": 698368 } }, { "id": 14805, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14805/", "page_type": "Animation", "title": "TRACERS Spacecraft Beauty Passes", "description": "The TRACERS, or the Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, mission will help scientists understand an explosive process called magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection occurs when magnetic fields and particles from the Sun interact with Earth’s magnetic field. By understanding this process, scientists will be able to better understand and prepare for impacts of solar activity on Earth, such as auroras and disruptions to telecommunications.Learn more about the mission: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tracers/ || ", "release_date": "2025-03-24T12:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2025-06-03T12:24:37-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 1154340, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014805/TRACERSbeauty_Iowa_4K_ProRes.00001_print.jpg", "filename": "TRACERSbeauty_Iowa_4K_ProRes.00001_print.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Beauty Pass – 4KCredit: University of Iowa / Andy Kale", "width": 1024, "height": 576, "pixels": 589824 } } ], "sources": [], "products": [ { "id": 14862, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/14862/", "page_type": "Produced Video", "title": "NASA’s TRACERS Studies Magnetic Explosions Above Earth", "description": "NASA's TRACERS mission, or the Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites, will fly in low Earth orbit through the polar cusps, funnel-shaped holes in the magnetic field, to study magnetic reconnection and its effects in Earth's atmosphere. Magnetic reconnection is a mysterious process that happens when the solar wind, made of electrically charged particles and magnetic fields from the Sun, collides with Earth's magnetic shield, causing magnetic field lines to violently snap and explosively fling away particles at high speeds. This process has huge impacts on Earth, from causing breathtaking auroras to disrupting communications and power grids on Earth. TRACERS is launching no earlier than summer 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket from Space Launch Complex 4 East at Vandenberg Space Force Base in California.Find out more about the TRACERS mission and how it will help us better understand the ways space weather affects us on Earth: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/tracers/ || ", "release_date": "2025-07-14T11:00:00-04:00", "update_date": "2025-06-27T10:39:30.842035-04:00", "main_image": { "id": 1156667, "url": "https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/vis/a010000/a014800/a014862/14862_TRACERSoverview_Thumbnail.jpg", "filename": "14862_TRACERSoverview_Thumbnail.jpg", "media_type": "Image", "alt_text": "Produced VideoWatch this video on the NASA Goddard YouTube channel.Complete transcript available.Music Credit: \"Praxis I,” “Three Voices,” and “Die Vogel” by Alexis Francois Georges Delong [SACEM], “Anticipation” by Nicholas Smith [PRS], “Ocean Wisdom” by Hugo Dubery and Philippe Galtier [SACEM], and “Call from the Sea” by MACARON [SACEM] from Universal Production MusicAdditional Video and Animations: University of Iowa, Southwest Research Institute, Millennium Space Systems, Andøya Space / Trond AbrahamsenSound Effects: Pixabay", "width": 1280, "height": 720, "pixels": 921600 } } ], "newer_versions": [], "older_versions": [], "alternate_versions": [] }