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The IMAP-Lo instrument, designed to collect energetic neutral atoms in a low energy spectrum, features a short golden metal collar head with an ring-shaped collimator entrance inset several centimeters below the opening that surrounds a centered gold electrical box cylinder. Two arms attached on either side of the collar sit in pivot mounts attached to a metal platform base below the instrument, allowing the field-of-view to pivot up or down remotely from Earth.
IMAP-Lo Instrument Flight Model with Pivot Platform

The IMAP-Lo instrument and electronics box for the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) undergo inrush testing in the Electromagnetic The phenomenon where waves, such as radio signals or light waves, overlap and combine, affecting the accuracy of measurements. This can occur when signals from different sources mix, leading to distortion of data or reduction in the clarity of received information. and Compatibility test facility at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton

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IMAP-Lo
Instrument
The IMAP-Hi instrument, designed to collect energetic neutral atoms in a high energy spectrum in a clean, white environment. The instrument has a short golden cylindrical – shaped head with an inset ring-shaped collimator entrance surrounding a circular electrical box in its center. The collimator sits several centimeters below the top edge of the collar. A gold circular base supports the instrument head. Electrical wires encircle the space between the base and the bottom of the sensor head.
IMAP-Hi Instrument Flight Model

The IMAP-Hi 45 instrument is shown before installation onto the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. 

 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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IMAP-Hi
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The IMAP-Ultra instrument is designed to collect energetic neutral atoms in an ultra-high energy spectrum. A sensor head with gold-plated deflector blades fanned into an arch shape similar to how pages in a book fan out between the covers when slightly opened sits atop a rectangular gold metallic box. The instrument sits on a metal surface against a white background.
IMAP-Ultra Instrument Flight Model

The IMAP-Ultra 45 instrument before it’s installed to the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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IMAP-Ultra
Instrument
The open IMAP spacecraft structure in a cleanroom environment, showing a detailed assembly of wires, connectors, and metallic components. The Interstellar Dust EXperiment (IDEX) is a central feature in mounted in the open bay of the spacecraft facing the viewer. Comprised of a large, can-like structure wrapped in reflective foil, supported by a sturdy frame with green and gold panels and a spring-action is in the closed position over the entrance for launch.
IDEX Instrument Flight Model Integrated

The Interstellar Dust Experiment (IDEX) instrument is installed on the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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IDEX
Instrument
The GLObal Solar Wind Structure (GLOWS) instrument sits on a white surface against a white background. A gold metal rectangular base sits on its narrow side. A short metallic gold cylinder extends from the center of the short narrow side on the left side of the base. A silver metal cone-like structure creates a collar around the opening to focus radiation towards the opening. The inside of the collar is very dark black. A translucent tube is fastened to the side of the instrument.
GLOWS Instrument Flight Model

The GLObal Solar Wind Structure (GLOWS) instrument prior to installation onto the IMAP spacecraft at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) in Laurel, Maryland. 
 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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GLOWS
Instrument
The SWE (Solar Wind Electrons) instrument sits on a white surface. The gold short cylinder-shaped electrostatic analyzer housing is mounted on top of a gold box housing, the channel electron multipliers, and target sensors. A small gold electrical box housing is mounted to the face of the cylinder. Various wires and cables extend from both housings.
SWE Instrument Flight Model

The Solar Wind Electron (SWE) instrument before installation to the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) spacecraft at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.
 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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SWE
The Solar Wind and Pick Up Ion (SWAPI) instrument designed to collect solar wind and pick up ions. A grey metallic disc base supports a gold cylindrical structure. Cables loop from the base to the top of the cylinder secured by blue ties. A silver metal collar with evenly-spaced rectangular windows extends out between the cylinder and a black baffle with two angular vane panels extend outward shielding the instrument opening. The background is a clean, white environment.
SWAPI Instrument Flight Model

The Solar Wind and Pickup Ion (SWAPI) instrument is shown before installation onto the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 
 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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SWAPI
The HIT (High-energy Ion Telescope) instrument sits on a white surface against a white background. The device consists of a rectangular metallic base supporting a tall, vertical column. The column narrows at the top and is crowned by the sensor head. A set of detector array windows arch on both sides of the head covered by red plastic protective covers. A prominent handle extends towards the viewer from the base. Mounting brackets extend upward from the base. Several cables extend from the base.
HIT Instrument Flight Model

The High-energy Ion Telescope (HIT) instrument sits in the flow bench of the cleanroom as it awaits installation onto the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland.
 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

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The Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment (CoDICE) instrument, designed to collect and analyze solar wind electrons and pick-up ions, sits on a metal surface with a white background.
CoDICE Instrument Flight Model

The Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment (CoDICE) instrument prior to installation onto the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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CoDICE
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Instrument
The Compact Dual Ion Composition Experiment CoDICE instrument is on a white surface in a lab environment. A computer screen can be seen in the background. The instrument has a grey metal rectangular base with a second grey rectangular metal structure mounted on top. A flat white wire cable extends from the bottom base. A translucent tube extends from the second box structure.
CoDICE Instrument Flight Model at SwRI

The CoDICE flight model in testing chamber at Southwest Research Institute (SwRI). Vertical side view showing both the gold-coated and black-coated sides. 

 

Image Credit: NASA/SwRI
 

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CoDICE
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Instrument
A cleanroom environment with 3 technicians in white protective suits working around a long, metallic boom pole laid horizontally on a table with yellow tape and markings visible on its surface. Two cylindrical structures housing the MAG instruments are mounted at the right end of the boom evenly spaced about 2 ft apart. Wires extend from the cylinders and attach along the arm. Various clean room equipment, apparatus, and the IMAP spacecraft appear in the background.
MAG Instrument Installed on Boom

Helen O’Brien of Imperial College London and Hunter McNamara of the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland observe the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) boom after installation of the A device used to measure the intensity and direction of the local magnetic field. sensors. 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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Integration
MAG
The IMAP spacecraft with the MAG boom in its deployed position extending from the top deck of the tilted spacecraft towards the right. Black plastic blanketing material wraps around the spacecraft with IMAP-Ultra 45 and IMAP-Lo emerging from under it. Mounted at the end of the deployed boom are two metal cyclindrical MAG instrument housings evenly spaced about 2 feet apart. Whot plastic wraps the boom end. A cable runs from the center of the boom to the ceiling to hold the boom horizontal.
MAG Boom Fully Deployed

The magnetometer (MAG) boom is shown in the deployed position extending out from the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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Instrument
Integration
MAG
The IMAP spacecraft structure is tilted on tilt stand in a large white cleanroom environment with the solar array facing towards the left of the image. The spacecraft is illuminated in a darkened room with a shadow of the spacecraft appearing on the white wall behind. Black blanketing wraps the spacecraft and various instruments emerge above it. Cleanroon equipment is against the wall under the Johns Hopkins APL logo and a large blue S. A crane lift hook dangles from the ceiling.
IMAP Shadow

The solar panels on the Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) are illuminated for testing at the Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory in Laurel, Maryland. 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Princeton/Ed Whitman

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Solar Array
Spacecraft
Testing
A 3/4 top-view of the IMAP spacecraft appears against a dark starry background with the MAG boom arm deployed and the solar array visible. Several instruments are pictured across the center of the spacecraft.
Animated IMAP Banner

Animation of the IMAP spacecraft simulation spinning in The curved path, usually elliptical, described by a planet, satellite, spaceship, etc., around a celestial body, such as the Sun; also called orbital path. at L1. 


 

Image Credit: NASA/Princeton/Patrick McPike

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Animation
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Spacecraft
A diagram of a birds-eye cross-section of the solar wind. The solar wind passes linearly out in all directions through the planets towards the termination shock, about twice as far as the last shown planet orbit to be (not to scale). Beyond this, the solar wind leading edge stops at where it meets the interstellar medium, forming a bubble-shape back around the solar system. The trailing edge tails far behind. A small cloud labelled bow shock precedes the leading edge, where it meets the interstellar medium.
Heliosphere Lithograph

Information about the The bubble-like region surrounding the solar system inflated by the solar wind, shielding the solar system from interstellar radiation. and the IMAP mission. Includes a demonstration activity on the back on how the heliosphere flows.
 

Image Credit: NASA/A predecessor to IMAP, IBEX is studying how our heliosphere interacts with interstellar space. IBEX created the first maps showing the interactions at that border, and how they change over time./Adler Planetarium

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Graphic
Lithograph
The IMAP spacecraft angled from the bottom deck up towards the top deck against a starry sky background. The MAG boom arm stretches from the top deck of the spacecraft toward the viewer while cylindrical and gridded instruments emerge at regular intervals from left to right as stated in caption.
Overview Lithograph

IMAP mission overview information and stunning graphics of the spacecraft.


 

Image Credit: NASA/Princeton/Patrick McPike

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Lithograph