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Best of IMAP

To view additional images, animations, videos, and more, view the Full Media Library or NASA's IMAP Prelaunch Activity Media. 


 

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

Download the IMAP-Lo Instrument Flight Model with Pivot Platform image.

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Flight Model
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

Download the IMAP-Hi Instrument Flight Model image.

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Flight Model
IMAP-Hi
Instrument
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

Download the IMAP-Ultra instrument Flight Model image.

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Flight Model
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

Download the IDEX instrument Flight Model Integrated image.

Flight Model
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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Flight Model
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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Flight Model
Instrument
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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Flight Model
Instrument
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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Flight Model
HIT
Instrument
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
Flight Model
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
 

Download the CoDICE instrument Flight Model at SwRI image. 

CoDICE
Flight Model
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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Boom
Flight Model
Instrument
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

Download the MAG Boom Fully Deployed image.

Boom
Flight Model
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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Flight Model
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 Lagrange Point 1 is an orbital path  in space about one million miles from Earth towards the Sun that is without any magnetic interference from the planets., which is about one million miles from Earth towards the Sun.
 

Image Credit: NASA/Princeton/Patrick McPike

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Animation
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 heliosphere 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

Download the Heliosphere Lithograph.

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
The IMAP spacecraft sits on a metal platform inside a large round opening to a testing chamber. IMAP is significantly smaller than the opening. Rail lines extend toward the viewer used to roll the platfrom into the chamber. Purple illumination is in the background of chamber.
IMAP in Thermal and Vacuum (TVAC) Testing

The Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe (IMAP) after installation to the The part of the electromagnetic spectrum whose radiation has somewhat greater frequencies and smaller wavelengths than those of ultraviolet radiation. Because x-rays are absorbed by the Earth's atmosphere, x-ray astronomy is performed in space. and Cryogenic Facility chamber at Marshall Space Flight Center in Huntsville, Alabama. 

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

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Spacecraft
Testing
A technician in a cleanroom suit monitors as the large, round door of the X-Ray and Cryogenic Testing Chamber begins to close around the IMAP spacecraft, visible inside the chamber wrapped in thermal blankets and test equipment. The scene takes place at NASA’s Marshall Space Flight Center during IMAP’s thermal vacuum (TVAC) testing, with cables, monitors, and facility infrastructure visible in the foreground.
Chamber Doors Close

Team members from Marshall Space Flight Center (MSFC) in Huntsville, Alabama, install the chamber dome before the start of the Thermal Vacuum Test for the IMAP spacecraft.
 

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

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Spacecraft
Testing
Technicians in cleanroom suits monitor as a cubical metal shipping container cover is lifted off the base holding the IMAP spacecraft, which is visible wrapped in protective blankets. White rectangular signs label where the instruments are under the wrapping. The scene takes place at inside the high bay at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility in Florida with ladders, lift equipment, and facility infrastructure visible in the background.
Unboxing IMAP at Astrotech

Technicians remove NASA’s IMAP (Interstellar Mapping and Acceleration Probe) spacecraft from its shipping container inside the high bay at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility near the agency’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

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Launch Readiness
Spacecraft
Two technicians in cleanroom suits monitor as a third technician works on the door of the IDEX instrument in its deployed position. The image, taken from below the spacecraft, allows a view inside the instrument and its gold-plated dust target. The ceiling of the high bay and other cleanroom infrastructure can be seen in the background.
IDEX Door Deployment

Technicians test the spring-activated door on the Tiny particles of solid matter found in the interstellar medium that are believed to be formed from supernova star events that result in the formation of stars and planetary systems, including those found in our solar system. Experiment (IDEX) instrument of NASA’s IMAP observatory inside the high bay at the Astrotech Space Operations Facility. The door will remain closed to protect IDEX from contamination during integration and launch. Once in space, the door will swing open permanently to allow interstellar and The small particles of solid matter that are believed to originate from comets and asteroids found between planets in a system. to flow into the instrument for measurement. 

Image Credit: NASA/Johns Hopkins APL/Ed Whitman

Download the IDEX Door Deployment Image

IDEX
Instrument
Integration
Launch Readiness
Spacecraft