Tag: Rocket Lab

It’s Launch Day Again for NASA’s TROPICS CubeSats

A full view of a black Electron rocket standing vertical on the launch pad framed by blue sky and wispy clouds. Photo: Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket is vertical on the pad at Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, during a May 18, 2023, wet dress rehearsal for NASA’s Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) launch. Photo credit: Rocket Lab

Launch day is here for NASA’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) mission! Atop a Rocket Lab Electron rocket, a pair of small satellites await liftoff from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand, to join a pair of recently deployed TROPICS satellites that launched just over two weeks ago.

This mission, named Coming To A Storm Near You, marks the second of two Rocket Lab TROPICS launches for NASA, following the company’s first launch from this very spot at 9 p.m. EDT Sunday, May 7, (1 p.m. Monday, May 8, New Zealand Standard Time). Like the previous launch, today’s launch is sending a pair of shoebox-sized satellites, called CubeSats, to low Earth orbit to collect tropical storm data more frequently than other weather satellites. TROPICS will help increase understanding of these deadly storms and improve tropical cyclone forecasts, complementing other NASA and partner satellites, including the Global Precipitation Measurement (GPM) mission and the Suomi National Polar-orbiting Partnership (Suomi NPP).

A 70-minute launch window opens at no earlier than 4 p.m. New Zealand Standard Time (12 a.m. EDT).

Once deployed, the two CubeSats from today’s launch will join the TROPICS CubeSats already in orbit in two equally spaced orbital planes, which will distribute them for optimal coverage over the Earth. The orbiting TROPICS constellation of satellites will study the formation and development of tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the West Pacific, making observations of temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and cloud ice more often than what is possible with current weather satellites. With the four TROPICS satellites in orbit, they will join the TROPICS Pathfinder satellite, in orbit since its launch in June of 2021.

The short turnaround between launches is predicated on the need to have all four deployed into their operational orbit within a 60-day period. Since the TROPICS satellites will cover the part of the Earth where tropical cyclones form, the distribution of the satellites means that one should pass over any spot in an area stretching from the Mid-Atlantic region of the United States to the southern coast of Australia about once an hour. Working in concert to improve observations of the powerful storms, TROPICS will provide data on temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and clouds by measuring microwave frequencies, providing insight into storm formation and intensification. This new data, coupled with information collected from other weather satellites, will increase understanding of tropical cyclones and should improve forecasting models.

Follow launch updates on NASA’s Small Satellite Missions blog and stay connected with the mission on social media.

Rocket Lab will provide live coverage beginning approximately 20 minutes before launch. Coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency’s website, and Rocket Lab’s website. Coverage will begin around 11:40 p.m. EDT on May 24.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth,  @NASAGoddard, @NASA, @RocketLab
Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA

TROPICS Launch Now Targeting May 25

NASA and Rocket Lab are now targeting no earlier than 12 a.m. EDT Thursday, May 25, (4 p.m. NZST) for the final launch of the agency’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) mission due to unfavorable weather conditions. Rocket Lab will continue to assess the weather, and provide updates.

The pair of spacecraft remain healthy and ready for launch on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand.

This launch is the second of two planned launches, each sending a pair of shoebox-sized satellites to low Earth orbit to make more frequent observations of tropical cyclones, which includes hurricanes and typhoons. TROPICS will provide data on temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and clouds by measuring microwave frequencies, providing insight into storm formation and intensification. The data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modeling and prediction.

Rocket Lab will provide live coverage beginning approximately 20 minutes before launch. Coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency’s website, and Rocket Lab’s website. Coverage will begin around 11:40 p.m. EDT on May 24.

Follow launch updates on NASA’s Small Satellite Missions blog and stay connected with the mission on social media.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAGoddard, @NASA, @RocketLab
Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
nstagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA

TROPICS Launch Date Set

NASA and Rocket Lab are targeting no earlier than 1:30 a.m. EDT (5:30 p.m. NZST) Monday, May 22, for the launch of the agency’s TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) mission, on an Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand.

The launch will place a pair of CubeSats in low Earth orbit, and they will join another pair of TROPICS satellites that made it to orbit last week after launching on an Electron rocket from New Zealand. Together the four satellites will orbit in two equally spaced orbital planes, which will distribute them for optimal coverage over the tropics. The orbiting TROPICS constellation of satellites will study the formation and development of tropical cyclones, known as hurricanes in the Atlantic and typhoons in the West Pacific, making observations of temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and cloud ice more often than what is possible with current weather satellites. They they will join the TROPICS Pathfinder satellite, in orbit since its launch in June of 2021.

Follow launch updates on NASA’s Small Satellite Missions blog and stay connected with the mission on social media.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth,  @NASAGoddard, @NASA, @RocketLab
Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA

Signal Acquired!

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. Read the NASA release here.

For imagery of this mission, please check here.

Follow launch updates on this blog and stay connected with the mission on social media.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASA, @RocketLab

Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA

Working Toward Signal Acquisition

Two TROPICS CubeSats successfully deployed from a Rocket Lab Electron rocket after launch.

The team is working toward signal acquisition from the pair of TROPICS CubeSats. NASA will continue to assess data from periodic pass opportunities. It is not unexpected for CubeSats to take some time to establish communications. We will provide confirmation when signal is acquired.

The second pair of TROPICS CubeSats is planned to launch aboard another Rocket Lab Electron rocket, named Coming To A Storm Near You, in about two weeks from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia, New Zealand.

Follow launch updates on this blog and stay connected with the mission on social media. This concludes our coverage of this launch.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASA, @RocketLab

Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA

Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA

TROPICS CubeSats Expected to Have Deployed

NASA’s TROPICS CubeSats are expected to have deployed from the Rocket Lab’s Electron kick stage. The two CubeSats will reach low-Earth orbit to begin their mission.

Each of the CubeSats was designed to last approximately two years, but analysis, lifetime testing of key parts, and on-orbit experiences with similar hardware could help the satellites surpass their design lifetime.

Electron’s Second Stage Separates

The second stage of Rocket Lab’s Electron has cut off and separated from the payload kick stage. Soon, the kick stage engine will ignite and burn for about three minutes before it cuts off.

Electron Performs Battery Hot Swap

The Electron rocket has successfully completed the battery hot swap, switching power between batteries. The next milestone is second stage separation in about three minutes.

Liftoff For Rocket Like a Hurricane!

A Rocket Lab Electron rocket lifts off from New Zealand with two TROPICS Cubesats
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia, New Zealand at 9:00 p.m., carrying two TROPICS CubeSats for NASA. Credit: Rocket Lab

Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket lifts off from Launch Complex 1 at Māhia, New Zealand at 9:00 p.m., carrying two TROPICS CubeSats for NASA.

A series of milestones will occur within several minutes after launch. The rocket will reach MaxQ, which is the speed at which the vehicle reaches its maximum dynamic pressure. Electron’s first stage main engines will cut off, followed by separation from the second stage. The payload fairing surrounding TROPICS will jettison.