SpaceX T for “Transporter” On July 23, 2025, SpaceX launched TRACERS out of Vandenberg. NASA’s Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites were aboard the Falcon 9 rocket.
The mission consists of two identical satellites that will fly together around Earth. With these, the satellites will observe how Earth’s magnetic field reconnects and changes. This process takes place in space weather and influences systems on and around Earth.
Scientists at NASA are eager to understand how energetic charged particles act in the vicinity of magnetic cusps. By decoding these patterns they can help keep satellites, astronauts and even power systems on Earth safe.
In addition to the TRACERS satellites, the rocket contained technology test loads. These are projects such as Athena, PExT and REAL. Each one tests tools and systems that will support future space flights.
