The University of Iowa is internationally recognized for its pioneering role in space physics. The TRACERS (Tandem Reconnection and Cusp Electrodynamics Reconnaissance Satellites) mission is the latest example of this legacy. This NASA-funded project will use twin satellites to study space weather in Earth’s magnetosphere, specifically focusing on how solar wind enters near-Earth space through magnetic reconnection.
But TRACERS is more than a scientific milestone. The mission exemplifies how the University of Iowa’s 2022–2027 Strategic Plan is advancing the university’s leadership in space-based research, expanding infrastructure for innovation, and creating immersive research experiences for students.
Strategic investments support Iowa’s space mission
In FY22, the university awarded $3.6 million in P3 funding to launch Extending Iowa’s Success in Space-Based Research Across Campus. This project, aligned with the strategic plan’s goals around innovative research and student success, helped accelerate key aspects of the TRACERS mission:
- Enhanced infrastructure: P3 funds supported facility upgrades and equipment purchases, allowing Iowa to complete testing of key TRACERS components more efficiently and affordably. These improvements further elevated the university’s reputation as a national leader in space instrumentation.
- Student opportunities: The initiative also established the Edge of Space Academy, a summer research program focused on space-based instrumentation. Since 2022, the academy has welcomed students from across the country to work alongside Iowa faculty and staff.
Sustaining momentum through strategic support
The TRACERS mission continues to spark new opportunities and national recognition for Iowa’s space research community:
- March 2024: A NASA delegation visited the UI campus to receive a TRACERS briefing and tour facilities upgraded through university investment.
- August 2024: Iowa received a $1.5 million NASA award to purchase advanced equipment needed to build instruments for future missions and expand the number of students who can attend the Edge of Space Academy.
- April 2025: A second P3-funded project, Launching the Next Phase of Iowa Space Missions, was awarded $653,485 over two years to help faculty pursue future NASA proposals and build on the success of TRACERS.
A mission grounded in strategy
Through targeted investments in infrastructure, talent, and student engagement, TRACERS is advancing the university’s strategic goals. The project is a model for how bold ideas, supported by cross-campus collaboration and strategic vision, can elevate Iowa’s national impact and expand discovery-driven learning.