Experts to preview launch of historic NOAA space weather satellite observatory
Experts from NOAA, NASA, BAE Systems, academia and industry will hold a virtual media briefing to preview the upcoming mission of NOAA’s Space Weather Follow On – Lagrange 1 (SWFO-L1) observatory. SWFO-L1 will be NOAA’s first satellite observatory designed specifically for – and fully dedicated to – continuous, operational space weather observations.
Space weather can severely affect our nation’s power grid, communication systems, aviation industry and agricultural sector. SWFO-L1 will monitor solar eruptions and serve as an early warning beacon for hazardous space weather events that could profoundly impact our technology-dependent infrastructure and industries.
The satellite observatory is scheduled to lift off no earlier than September 2025 aboard a SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket from NASA’s Kennedy Space Center in Florida. Once in orbit, SWFO-L1 will be positioned toward the sun at Lagrange point 1, which is approximately one million miles away from the Earth.
WHAT
Virtual media briefing about the upcoming launch of NOAA’s SWFO-L1 space weather observatory.
WHEN
Thursday, Aug. 21, 2025, 11:00 a.m. – 12 p.m. EDT
WHO
In order of presentation
- Irene Parker, performing the duties of the assistant administrator, NOAA Satellites
- Richard Ullman, deputy director, NOAA Office of Space Weather Observations
- Dimitris Vassiliadis, Ph.D., program scientist, NOAA Space Weather Follow On Program
- Shawn Dahl, forecaster, Space Weather Prediction Center, NOAA’s National Weather Service
- Jim Morrissey, project manager, NASA SWFO-L1 Flight Project
- Jim Masciarelli, project manager, SWFO-L1, BAE Systems
- Edward Oughton, Ph.D., assistant professor, George Mason University
- John Dudley, Captain, managing director, American Airlines
- Terry Griffin, Ph.D., professor, Kansas State University
HOW
Use this link offsite link to register for the media briefing. (For the best experience, download the Adobe Connect app offsite link.)
