Rocket Lab to Launch NASA’s Cyclone-Tracking Satellite Constellation from New ZealandTo ensure the constellation is in orbit for the 2023 storm season, Rocket Lab will launch NASA’s four TROPICS satellites from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand across two dedicated Electron missions in MayApril 10, 2023 04:15 PM Eastern Daylight TimeLONG BEACH, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, today announced it will launch NASA’s TROPICS constellation across two dedicated Electron missions lifting off from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand next month.The TROPICS constellation (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Small Sats) will monitor the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, and will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity. This data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modelling and prediction. The two missions are expected to launch within approximately two weeks of each other in May 2023. The first launch, named ‘Rocket Like a Hurricane,’ is expected to launch as soon as May 1 NZST (30 April EDT) and the second mission, named ‘Coming to a Storm Near You,’ is expected to follow around May 16 NZST (May 15 EDT).The constellation, which is part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program, consists of four CubeSats that require launch to a specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers and inclination of about 30 degrees. All four satellites need to be deployed into their operational orbit within a 60-day period, making Electron the ideal launch vehicle as it enables dedicated launch to unique orbits on highly responsive timelines. The two missions were initially scheduled to lift-off from Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport within NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia but will now take place at Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand to support a Q2 launch window that will see the satellites reach orbit in time for the North American 2023 hurricane season.“The need for improved climate and weather data from space is acute and growing. Hurricanes and tropical storms have a devastating effect on lives and livelihoods, so we’re immensely proud to be entrusted by NASA to launch the TROPICS missions which will enable scientists and researchers to accurately predict storm strength and give people time to evacuate and make plans,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “With the 2023 hurricane season fast approaching, time is of the essence for these missions. Because we operate three launch pads across two countries, we can constantly assess the launch manifest and adapt launch schedules and locations based on customer and mission requirements.”“The ability to advance our understanding of tropical cyclones from space has been limited by the ability to take frequent measurements, particularly from microwave instruments that see into the storms,” says Will McCarty, Program Scientist for the TROPICS Mission. “Historically, satellites have been too large and expensive to provide observations at a time-frequency that is consistent with the timescales at which tropical cyclones can evolve. The CubeSat era has allowed for smaller, less expensive satellites. With modern small satellite design, we designed a constellation that optimizes the scientific utility of the mission in a way that we can launch in a cost-effective manner. These factors enable TROPICS to provide a new understanding of tropical cyclones by decreasing the time by which a given storm is revisited by the satellites.”Rocket Lab was selected to launch the TROPICS missions as part of NASA’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract.
Two launches, four satellites, one mission - to monitor hurricanes and extreme storms to better predict their intensity and save lives. Both Electron rockets are now undergoing final preparation ahead of lift-off for the two @NASA TROPICS launches next month 🚀🚀🛰️🛰️🛰️🛰️
It’s integration time for @NASA TROPICS! With satellite checks complete by the NASA and @MITLL teams at Launch Complex 1, soon the first pair of TROPICS sats will be mounted to Electron ahead of launch in >2 weeks. First TROPICS launch: NET 1 May. https://bit.ly/2XZCCWf
🛰🛰🚀Media are invited to ask experts about the upcoming launch of the TROPICS satellites at a news conference Friday, April 28!The first pair will launch May 1 from New Zealand on Rocket Lab’s #RocketLikeAHurricane mission.Learn More: https://go.nasa.gov/3oGndwl
252155Z APR 23HYDROPAC 1371/23(76).WESTERN SOUTH PACIFIC.NEW ZEALAND.DNC 06.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, ROCKET LAUNCHING 010100Z TO 140300Z MAY IN AREA BOUND BY: 39-15.00S 177-48.00E, 39-12.00S 177-51.00E, 39-06.60S 178-00.00E, 38-56.40S 178-20.40E, 39-07.20S 178-27.00E, 39-20.40S 177-57.60E, 39-24.00S 177-57.60E, 39-25.20S 177-48.00E.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 140400Z MAY 23.
Spacecraft integration is underway this week at LC-1 for our two @NASA TROPICS missions. The countdown to lift-off is on with the first launch scheduled no earlier than:🚀 NZST | 13:00, May 1🚀 UTC | 01:00, May 1🚀 EDT | 21:00, 30 April🚀 PDT | 18:00, 30 April
252253Z APR 23HYDROPAC 1372/23(76,83).SOUTH PACIFIC.DNC 06.1. HAZARDOUS OPERATIONS, SPACE DEBRIS 010100Z TO 140300Z MAY IN AREAS BOUND BY: A. 35-07.09S 174-43.22W, 34-18.88S 175-39.48W, 35-58.00S 177-54.06W, 36-46.55S 177-00.04W. B. 26-56.41S 155-33.85W, 26-01.49S 156-07.50W, 28-44.90S 162-21.97W, 29-41.99S 161-53.52W.2. CANCEL THIS MSG 140400Z MAY 23
🛰🛰A pair of TROPICS #CubeSats are in the eye of the storm - or rather, in the nose of an Electron rocket!Teams encapsulated the cyclone-tracking satellites at @RocketLab's processing facility in Mahia, New Zealand.Get ready to #RocketLikeAHurricane early next week!
This mission is a particularly special one for our team. Earlier this year the region near LC-1 was hit hard by Cyclone Gabrielle, so it's a privilege to be launching satellites tasked with monitoring tropical storms and providing actionable data to those in storm paths.
Roll out is underway at Launch Complex 1 ahead of our first @NASA TROPICS launch on 1 May UTC. Always love to see the NASA meatball on Electron's fairing!
Our very first NASA launch was the ELaNa-19 mission in 2018. Electron has been providing reliable access to orbit for @NASA ever since. We can’t wait to launch the next one, TROPICS, on 1 May UTC.