SpaceX launched twin NASA satellites called TRACERS on Wednesday to study how the solar wind interacts with Earth’s magnetic field, causing “space weather” that can disrupt satellites, power grids, and communications.

The TRACERS satellites, built by Boeing, will fly in tandem to better understand how solar energy affects Earth’s magnetosphere, which protects the planet from harmful space radiation.

Alongside TRACERS, five other small satellites were deployed to test new space communication technologies, measure Earth’s radiation budget, and study high-energy electrons in the Van Allen radiation belts that can damage satellites.

The mission launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base after a one-day delay due to a power outage, Space Flight Now has reported.

This launch advances research to protect critical space and ground-based systems from solar activity.

Written by B.C. Begley