# PUNCH-WFI 1

> NASA heliophysics satellite, part of the PUNCH constellation

**Wikidata**: [Q133266220](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q133266220)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/punch-wfi-1

## Summary
PUNCH-WFI 1 is a NASA heliophysics microsatellite and space telescope designed to study the solar wind and the Sun's corona. Launched in March 2025, it serves as a critical component of the four-satellite PUNCH constellation, which unifies observations of the heliosphere. The spacecraft is operated by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and is also designated as Explorer 99.

## Key Facts
- **Official Name:** PUNCH-Wide Field Imager 1 (also known as SMEX 15B or Explorer 99).
- **Launch Date:** March 12, 2025, at 03:10:12 UTC.
- **Mission Affiliation:** Part of the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) constellation.
- **Primary Instrument:** Carries a Wide Field Imager (WFI) for heliophysics observations.
- **Operator:** Southwest Research Institute (SwRI).
- **Launch Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5.
- **Dimensions:** 0.923 meters (length) by 0.6 meters (width) by 0.320 meters (height).
- **Mass:** 64 kilograms (launch weight).
- **Funder:** National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
- **Launch Site:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East.

## FAQs
### Q: What is the primary purpose of PUNCH-WFI 1?
A: PUNCH-WFI 1 is a solar observatory designed to image the solar wind and the transition from the Sun's outer corona to the heliosphere. It works in tandem with three other satellites to provide a continuous, unified view of solar particles and structures.

### Q: Who manufactured and operates the PUNCH-WFI 1 satellite?
A: The satellite was manufactured by the Southwest Research Institute (SwRI) and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory. SwRI serves as the prime contractor and the mission operator under funding from NASA.

### Q: How was PUNCH-WFI 1 launched into space?
A: It was launched on March 12, 2025, from Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East using a SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 rocket. It was a multi-payload mission that included the SPHEREx observatory and the other three satellites of the PUNCH constellation.

## Why It Matters
PUNCH-WFI 1 represents a significant advancement in heliophysics by shifting from single-satellite observations to a synchronized constellation approach. By operating as part of the Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere (PUNCH) mission, it helps bridge the observational gap between the Sun’s corona and the interplanetary medium. This is essential for understanding how the solar wind is generated and how it evolves as it moves through the solar system.

The data collected by PUNCH-WFI 1’s Wide Field Imager allows scientists to track coronal mass ejections and other solar phenomena with greater precision. This research is vital for improving space weather forecasting, which protects global communication systems, satellite networks, and power grids on Earth. As a microsatellite, PUNCH-WFI 1 also demonstrates the efficiency of using smaller, specialized spacecraft to conduct high-priority NASA science missions, providing a cost-effective model for future space exploration and solar study.

## Notable For
- **Explorer Program Designation:** Officially designated as Explorer 99 by NASA.
- **Constellation Role:** One of three Wide Field Imagers working alongside a single Narrow Field Imager (NFI) to provide a complete view of the heliosphere.
- **Compact Engineering:** Features a highly efficient microsatellite design with a launch mass of only 64 kilograms.
- **Collaborative Manufacturing:** Developed through a partnership between the Southwest Research Institute in the U.S. and the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory in the U.K.

## Body

### Mission and Classification
PUNCH-WFI 1 is a space telescope and solar observatory categorized as a microsatellite. It is part of the PUNCH (Polarimeter to Unify the Corona and Heliosphere) constellation, a NASA Small Explorer (SMEX) mission. Its primary scientific goal is to image the global heliosphere to better understand the solar wind and the propagation of solar structures.

### Technical Specifications
The spacecraft was designed for high-precision imaging within a compact frame:
*   **Physical Dimensions:** 0.923 m (L) x 0.6 m (W) x 0.320 m (H).
*   **Mass:** 64 kg at the time of launch.
*   **Power System:** The satellite is powered by a single spacecraft solar array.
*   **Scientific Payload:** The primary instrument is the Wide Field Imager (WFI), which captures data on distant space objects and solar emissions.

### Launch Details
PUNCH-WFI 1 was deployed as part of a significant multi-satellite launch event:
*   **Date and Time:** March 12, 2025, at 03:10:12 UTC.
*   **Launch Vehicle:** SpaceX Falcon 9 Block 5 (Booster B1088.3).
*   **Location:** Vandenberg Space Launch Complex 4 East (SLC-4E).
*   **Co-passengers:** The launch included the SPHEREx observatory, PUNCH-NFI, PUNCH-WFI 2, and PUNCH-WFI 3.

### Organizational Roles
The development and operation of PUNCH-WFI 1 involve several key entities:
*   **NASA:** Provides funding and oversight for the mission.
*   **Southwest Research Institute (SwRI):** Acts as the prime contractor for manufacturing and serves as the mission operator. SwRI is an independent nonprofit R&D organization based in San Antonio, Texas.
*   **Rutherford Appleton Laboratory:** Contributed to the manufacturing of the spacecraft.

### Identification and Tracking
The satellite is tracked via several international aerospace identifiers:
*   **COSPAR ID:** 2025-047B
*   **NSSDCA ID:** 2025-047B
*   **Satellite Catalog Number (SCN):** 63179

## References

1. [Source](https://space.skyrocket.de/doc_sdat/explorer_punch.htm)
2. [Source](https://assets.science.nasa.gov/content/dam/science/missions/punch/PUNCH%20Press%20Kit%20Updated%20Feb%2020%202025.pdf)
3. [Source](https://blogs.nasa.gov/punch/2025/03/12/nasas-punch-begins-mission-to-study-solar-wind/)
4. [Source](https://nssdc.gsfc.nasa.gov/nmc/spacecraft/display.action?id=2025-047B)
5. Space-Track
6. [NASA, SpaceX launch SPHEREx observatory and PUNCH heliophysics mission from California. NASASpaceflight. 2025](https://www.nasaspaceflight.com/2025/03/spherex-punch-launch/)
7. Jonathan's Space Report
8. [Source](https://punch.space.swri.edu/punch_about_mission.php)
9. [Source](https://www.eoportal.org/satellite-missions/punch#spacecraft)