Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites

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Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites (TRACERS) is a orbiter mission tasked to study the origins of the solar wind and how it affects Earth. TRACERS was proposed by Craig A. Kletzing at the University of Iowa who served as Principal Investigator until his death in 2023. David M. Miles at the University of Iowa was named as Principal Investigator in his stead. The TRACERS mission received US$115 million in funding from NASA.

2025 Website,  Wikimedia, Wikidata
SMEX-16; TRACERS
space mission, 

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    2025-07-23T00:00:00Z
    2025-07-23T00:00:00Z
    2025 Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites
    2025-07-23T00:00:00Z
    2025-07-23T00:00:00Z
    rocket launch
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    Illustration of the TRACERS satellites in space. TRACERS will fly through the Earth’s magnetic cusp to study magnetic interactions between Earth and the solar wind.Illustration of the TRACERS satellites in space. TRACERS will fly through the Earth’s magnetic cusp to study magnetic interactions between Earth and the solar wind.
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 02)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 02)
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 14)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 14)
    Photo: Jasper Halekas, Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument lead, checks data during final calibration testing – which took place in the chamber on the left – for the ACE instrument at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.Photo: Jasper Halekas, Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument lead, checks data during final calibration testing – which took place in the chamber on the left – for the ACE instrument at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa.
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 08)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 08)
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 15)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 15)
    Photo: “Flat Sat,” a full-scale mockup of the TRACERS spacecraft, is used by TRACERS scientists at the University of Iowa to help precisely arrange the instruments onboard the spacecraft. Credit: University of Iowa / Tim SchoonPhoto: “Flat Sat,” a full-scale mockup of the TRACERS spacecraft, is used by TRACERS scientists at the University of Iowa to help precisely arrange the instruments onboard the spacecraft. Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 06)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 06)
    TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 13)TRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 13)
    Photo: TRACERS’ main electronics box will act as the communications center for the spacecraft’s six onboard instruments.Photo: TRACERS’ main electronics box will act as the communications center for the spacecraft’s six onboard instruments.
      TypeSubtypeDateDescriptionNotesSource
      commonsimageIllustration of the TRACERS satellites in space. TRACERS will fly through the Earth’s magnetic cusp to study magnetic interactions between Earth and the solar wind. Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 02) Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 14) Commons
      commonsimagePhoto: Jasper Halekas, Analyzer for Cusp Electrons (ACE) instrument lead, checks data during final calibration testing – which took place in the chamber on the left – for the ACE instrument at Van Allen Hall at the University of Iowa. Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 08) Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 15) Commons
      commonsimagePhoto: “Flat Sat,” a full-scale mockup of the TRACERS spacecraft, is used by TRACERS scientists at the University of Iowa to help precisely arrange the instruments onboard the spacecraft. Credit: University of Iowa / Tim Schoon Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 06) Commons
      commonsimageTRACERS Instrument Development & Testing at the University of Iowa (SVS14827 TRACERSUIowa 13) Commons
      commonsimagePhoto: TRACERS’ main electronics box will act as the communications center for the spacecraft’s six onboard instruments. Commons
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