What a week! The IMAP launch brought not just excitement around the launch site, pad, but a solar storm of outreach events. The Florida coast was buzzing with IMAP energy that stretched from the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to local libraries, schools, and communities - and our team was right in the middle of it all!
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (Sept 19–22):
Outreach tables in the Atlantis building were packed all week long! We teamed up with our rideshare partners —Carruthers Geocorona Observatory (Carruthers) and Solar Wind Follow On–L1 (SWFO-L1) — to share our collective mission stories. Visitors got hands-on with several IMAP activities from our outreach kits, and a spinning 3D-printed model of IMAP was a definite crowd magnet. Between the selfie banner, the IMAP branded items (including launch-exclusive magnets and posters), and the parade of IMAP team families and NASA HQ leadership stopping by, it was four days of nonstop engagement and enthusiasm! We loved getting to connect with the KSCVC global and local guests that also came through and seeing all the curiosity that was sparked about the Sun's influence and the boundary of our solar system!
Talks in the Journey to Mars Theater:
During our time in the Atlantis building, IMAP experts were taking the stage daily to talk about their areas of expertise — from spacecraft design to the science that will soon flow from IMAP’s instruments. Twice a day, the three-mission briefing (IMAP, Carruthers, and SWFO-L1) brought it all together for the public. These sessions were packed with thoughtful questions and genuine enthusiasm from visitors who wanted to know everything about what was heading to space with IMAP's launch.
Community Events Beyond KSC:
We also reached beyond the gates! IMAP mission leadership and scientists gave special talks for IMAP families and friends at the Courtyard Titusville giving them a chance to celebrate and share the “why” behind the mission with the people who supported our team members every step of the way.
Meanwhile, the outreach team joined forces with Carruthers and SWFO-L1 again at the Cocoa Beach and Cape Canaveral public libraries. These events brought families and space enthusiasts together for hands-on activities and conversations about the science involved our upcoming heliophysics adventure.
Cocoa Beach Friday Festival:
IMAP also hit the street! The outreach team joined our rideshare partners and the NASA Launch Services Program team at the Cocoa Beach Friday Festival to help get the public hyped for launch day. The 3D IMAP model was spinning, stickers and patches flew off the table, and hundreds of curious festival-goers stopped by. It was the perfect blend of celebration and science and great time to connect with our rideshare partner outreach teams.
Launch Day!
In the wee hours before dawn, IMAP Outreach team members set up tables for mission guests coming to the Banana Creek viewing area outside the Apollo/Saturn V Center and the Operations Support Building II at Kennedy Space Center.
At Banana Creek, many IMAP families and friends gathered for the big moment. The tables were full of items to add to their guests bags - patches, stickers, lithographs, magnets, and posters, and a 3D-printed model of IMAP gave an opportunity to see the spacecraft details up close. There was even a launch bingo card to keep folks entertained while waiting for liftoff in the early-morning hours.
Meanwhile, a second outreach table was stationed at OSB II inside Kennedy Space Center, where NASA and government officials, IMAP leadership, and other VIPs gathered to view the launch. Both sites were filled with excitement, pride, and a few happy tears as the rocket lit up the Florida sky!
By the time the rocket cleared the tower, our outreach batteries were fully charged — and our hearts were, too. It was an unforgettable week of connection, curiosity, and celebration of all the teamwork that makes the IMAP mission possible!
Now the REAL work of the mission begins. We are ready standing by to share with you the amazing discoveries IMAP will soon be revealing to us in a few short months.
GO IMAP!