Rocket Lab To Launch Remaining TROPICS Satellites

NASA has selected RocketLab to launch the remaining 4 TROPICS weather satellites after the first two were lost in a failure of Astra's Rocket 3 launch vehicle.

NASA announced on November 23rd that it had awarded a task order to Rocket Lab through NASA's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) contract for the launch of the four remaining TROPICS weather cubesats aboard the company's Electron rocket.

The launches will take place from Rocket Lab's Launch Complex 2 in Virginia, USA, and will consist of two missions - both carrying two satellites.

“This year we once again witnessed the devastating effects of hurricanes and tropical storms on lives and livelihoods, underscoring the importance of improved climate data from space to 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. “The TROPICS satellites need a responsive and reliable path to orbit to equip people with near real-time, actionable weather data and Rocket Lab is honored to provide a dependable launch solution as we approach the 2023 hurricane season. We look forward to working closely with the team at NASA to deliver mission success once again.”

What Is TROPICS?

Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) is a constellation of 4 cubesats which will be used to monitor tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, providing potentially life saving information about the formation of storms.

Originally, the constellation was intended to be 6 satellites, however, two satellites were lost on Astra's LV0010 mission which experienced an upper stage failure resulting in the loss of the mission.

Rocket Lab will launch the 4 satellite within a 60 day period from their launch pad in Virginia further demonstrating the fast pace Electron can provide.