Falcon 9 Block 5 | TRACERS
Falcon 9 Block 5 launched the TRACERS mission for SpaceX from Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA on Jul 23, 2025 (UTC).
Launch pad
Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA
Falcon 9 Block 5 | TRACERS
Launched Jul 24, 2025 3:13:00 AMSuccess
11 objects in orbit now
Flight direction
189° S
measured from the launched orbit · inclination 97.7°
Flight path
First-stage drop zone (rough estimate)
Drawn 400–700 km downrange along the flight direction. Official hazard areas are published as NOTAMs and navigational warnings.
About the mission
NASA's Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) mission, consisting of two identical satellites that will orbit Earth in tandem (one following the other), will help understand magnetic re-connection and its effects in Earth’s atmosphere. Magnetic re-connection occurs when activity from the Sun interacts 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. Hitchhiking small satellites: * Athena EPIC (Economical Payload Integration Cost) * Polylingual Experimental Terminal (PExT) * Relativistic Electron Atmospheric Loss (REAL)
Mission description from Launch Library 2.
Objects from this launch still in orbit
- Launch time (your time zone)
- Thu, Jul 24 · 3:13:00 AM
- Status
- Success
- Launch provider
- SpaceX
- Rocket
- Falcon 9 Block 5
- Mission type
- Heliophysics
- Target orbit
- SSO
- Launch pad
- Space Launch Complex 4E · Vandenberg SFB, CA, USA