Author Topic: Electron : LC-1B : TROPICS F2: Rocket Like A Hurricane : 8 May 2023 01:00 UTC (Read 41083 times)

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #120 on:** 05/08/2023 01:30 am »

T+29 minutes and 6 seconds. One minute to third stage ignition.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #121 on:** 05/08/2023 01:31 am »

T+30 minutes and 6 seconds. Expected third stage ignition for 2 minutes and 44 seconds. Expected separation is 10 seconds later.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #122 on:** 05/08/2023 01:33 am »

Call for expected ignition. Looks like the press kit was incorrect.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #123 on:** 05/08/2023 01:35 am »

Expected cutoff.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #124 on:** 05/08/2023 01:36 am »

Expected separation.

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #125 on:** 05/08/2023 01:37 am »

The animation was a few seconds behind actual expected events.

trimeta · « **Reply #126 on:** 05/08/2023 01:37 am »

It seems like these "expected" calls were based on mission parameters, not telemetry; the vehicle won't be within range for ground contact until it gets to the Azores.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #127 on:** 05/08/2023 01:38 am »

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1655386431924350978

Quote

The Kick Stage's Curie engine is scheduled to have completed its final burn & deployed the TROPICS satellites now. As this takes place outside of ground station coverage, we expect to receive signal and get confirmation of payload deployment within the next ~20 mins

Steven Pietrobon · « **Reply #128 on:** 05/08/2023 01:39 am »

RocketLab Webcast ending. Confirmation of good orbit and separation won't be until it reaches the next ground station in Portugal.

pb2000 · « **Reply #129 on:** 05/08/2023 01:39 am »

Quote from: trimeta on 05/08/2023 01:37 am

It seems like these "expected" calls were based on mission parameters, not telemetry; the vehicle won't be within range for ground contact until it gets to the Azores.

I don't think any of the kick stage events were within ground coverage, so still a bit of a mystery as to the outcome of this mission.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #130 on:** 05/08/2023 01:40 am »

https://twitter.com/jacktwhitlock/status/1655384809701625856

Quote

Here’s a video of the oscillation on Stage 2 at 2x speed:

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #131 on:** 05/08/2023 01:57 am »

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1655391264706285568

Quote

Mission success! Electron has successfully deployed 2 TROPICS satellites to orbit for @NASA. This constellation aims to improve forecasting of devastating tropical storms and save lives. We’re immensely proud to be part of making that possible. One down, one to go!

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #132 on:** 05/08/2023 02:39 am »

https://twitter.com/rocketlab/status/1655401617657835522

Quote

Electron takes to the skies for the first of two launches for @NASA to deploy the TROPICS storm monitoring constellation. #RocketLikeAHurricane

Missed the launch? Catch it here: youtube.com/live/N3prw-94w…

Star One · « **Reply #133 on:** 05/08/2023 06:42 am »

Archived video of ‘Rocket Like a Hurricane’ launch:

https://www.youtube.com/live/N3prw-94wQc?feature=share

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #134 on:** 05/08/2023 07:00 am »

Photos from Rocket Lab flickr

catdlr · « **Reply #135 on:** 05/08/2023 07:20 am »

Quote from: catdlr on 05/08/2023 01:11 am

Was that usual for all the flames and smoke? Does the final speed seem short?

I had to do some errands right after posting. I see that the LV and Sats were injected correctly, that's great news. I reviewed a few flights and found the same engine flames and smoke as this one. So I'll stand in error with my comment. Sorry for getting a few of you guys excited. A similar high-insertion flight exhibits the same engine flames and smoke and is posted here.

Alter Sachse · « **Reply #136 on:** 05/08/2023 01:50 pm »

2023-062 A+B
TROPICS #5 and #6
32.73° 95.5 min 535x555 km

GewoonLukas_ · « **Reply #137 on:** 05/08/2023 03:04 pm »

Signal acquisition confirmed:

Quote

NASA, Rocket Lab Launch First Pair of Storm Observing CubeSats

May 8, 2023

[...]

Two NASA CubeSats designed to study tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, are in orbit after successfully launching at 1 p.m. Monday, NZST (9 p.m. EDT Sunday).

The first pair of the agency’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) lifted off aboard an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 Pad B in Māhia, New Zealand. Team members successfully sent commands to the first CubeSat at 1:48 a.m. EDT, May 8. Subsequently, they established communications with the second CubeSat at 6:31 a.m. EDT.

[...]

The second pair of TROPICS CubeSats is planned to launch aboard another Rocket Lab Electron rocket in about two weeks. The second launch will be timed to insert the next two CubeSats into the TROPICS constellation.

[...]

mn · « **Reply #138 on:** 05/08/2023 05:02 pm »

Quote from: GewoonLukas_ on 05/08/2023 03:04 pm

Signal acquisition confirmed:

Quote
NASA, Rocket Lab Launch First Pair of Storm Observing CubeSats

May 8, 2023

[...]

Two NASA CubeSats designed to study tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and typhoons, are in orbit after successfully launching at 1 p.m. Monday, NZST (9 p.m. EDT Sunday).

The first pair of the agency’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) lifted off aboard an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 Pad B in Māhia, New Zealand. Team members successfully sent commands to the first CubeSat at 1:48 a.m. EDT, May 8. Subsequently, they established communications with the second CubeSat at 6:31 a.m. EDT.

[...]

The second pair of TROPICS CubeSats is planned to launch aboard another Rocket Lab Electron rocket in about two weeks. The second launch will be timed to insert the next two CubeSats into the TROPICS constellation.

[...]

That should be the second and third pair, as the first pair was lost in the failed Astra launch.

FutureSpaceTourist · « **Reply #139 on:** 05/08/2023 05:18 pm »

https://twitter.com/tskelso/status/1655622908029603840

Quote

CelesTrak has GP data for 4 objects from the launch (2023-062) of 2 TROPICS satellites atop an Electron rocket from Rocket Lab's launch site on Mahia Peninsula, NZ on May 8 at 0100 UTC: spaceflightnow.com/2023/05/05/twi…. Data for the launch can be found at: https://celestrak.org/NORAD/elements/table.php?INTDES=2023-062