The launch of NASA’s TROPICS CubeSats via Rocket Lab’s Electron marked a significant milestone in the development of a constellation designed to monitor tropical storms. Here’s an overview of the key details:

• Mission Name: Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS)
• Launch Vehicle: Rocket Lab Electron
• Launch Date and Time: May 7, 9 p.m. Eastern Time
• Launch Site: Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand
• Payload: Two TROPICS CubeSats
• Mission Objective: TROPICS aims to monitor and study the development of tropical storms, specifically focusing on their precipitation and intensity. The constellation uses microwave radiometers on each CubeSat to gather temperature and water vapor data, which are essential for understanding storm dynamics.
• Constellation Design: The TROPICS constellation comprises a total of four CubeSats. The launch of the first two satellites was followed by another launch of the remaining two satellites about two weeks later.
• Orbital Parameters: The Electron rocket placed the TROPICS cubesats into a 550-kilometer orbit at an inclination of 32 degrees. The kick stage of the Electron, typically used for circularizing orbits, also performed the inclination change necessary for the mission.
• Monitoring Capability: With four satellites operating together, the TROPICS constellation will be able to provide hourly updates on tropical storm development. This data is expected to be valuable for monitoring the formation and behavior of tropical weather systems, including hurricanes.

This launch comes after a previous attempt, during which the first satellites in the TROPICS constellation were lost due to a launch failure of a different rocket. The successful launch of the TROPICS CubeSats via the Electron demonstrates the resilience and determination of space agencies and companies to overcome setbacks and continue advancing scientific research and capabilities.

The TROPICS Cubesats constellation, designed to monitor tropical storms and improve our understanding of their development and intensity, holds significant potential for advancing weather forecasting capabilities. Here are additional key points about TROPICS and its journey:

• Unique Data Collection: The TROPICS constellation gathers data in the microwave wavelength region of storms with hourly frequency. This data will provide insights into the fundamental processes driving tropical storms, leading to a better understanding of their behavior and aiding in more accurate track and intensity forecasts.
• Improved Forecasting: By analyzing the data collected by TROPICS, scientists and meteorologists aim to enhance their ability to predict the paths and intensities of tropical storms, including hurricanes. This can have significant implications for disaster preparedness and response.
• Launch Setback and Recovery: TROPICS originally planned to deploy a six-satellite constellation, but the first two satellites were lost due to the failure of an Astra Rocket 3.3 launch in June 2022. This setback prompted NASA to secure a new launch provider, Rocket Lab, to carry the remaining four satellites into orbit using the Electron rocket.
• Revised Launch Plan: NASA selected Rocket Lab in November 2022 to launch the remaining TROPICS cubesats. The agency’s Venture-class Acquisition of a Dedicated Rideshare (VADR) contract facilitated this task order, valued at $12.99 million. The successful launch of the first two satellites via Rocket Lab’s Electron is a significant step forward in recovering from the initial launch failure.
• Collaborative Effort: TROPICS is a collaborative effort involving organizations such as NASA, the MIT Lincoln Laboratory, and Rocket Lab. The combination of expertise from these entities contributes to the success of the mission and its ability to provide valuable data for scientific research.
• Future Possibilities: With a total of four satellites planned for the TROPICS constellation, the project is well-positioned to make significant contributions to the field of tropical storm research and forecasting. The data collected by TROPICS can be used to refine models and simulations, ultimately improving our understanding of these complex weather phenomena.

The successful launch of the TROPICS cubesats by Rocket Lab represents a triumph over challenges and setbacks, showcasing the resilience and determination of the space industry to advance scientific knowledge and technology.

The decision to move the TROPICS satellite launches from Virginia to New Zealand was driven by the need to align the launch schedule with the upcoming storm season. Here are some additional details about the decision and its implications:

• Timeline and Launch Site: Rocket Lab announced on April 10 that it would change the launch site for the two TROPICS missions from Virginia to New Zealand. The decision was prompted by the timeline required to get the satellites into orbit for the storm season, which didn’t align with the schedule for launching from Virginia.
• Mission Requirements: The change in the launch site did not impact the ability to meet the mission’s requirements, as both locations could fulfill the technical needs of the mission. NASA officials expressed their willingness to accommodate the change as long as the launch provider could meet the necessary mission criteria.
• Cost and Logistics: According to Rocket Lab CEO Peter Beck, the change in launch sites did not incur additional costs for NASA. While there were some logistical adjustments and paperwork involved in shifting the launch to New Zealand, they were minor and manageable. The TROPICS mission manager at the launch site had to deal with time zone differences to coordinate the launch activities.
• Operational Timeline: Pending a successful second launch, NASA anticipates having the four-satellite TROPICS system operational by the beginning of the Atlantic hurricane season in the summer. While the original plan was for a six-satellite constellation, having four satellites still allows TROPICS to meet its requirement of providing valuable data with revisit times slightly longer than initially planned.
• Revisit Times: The decision to proceed with a four-satellite constellation instead of the originally intended six does lead to slightly longer revisit times between data collections. However, the TROPICS mission remains effective in achieving its objectives, including providing essential data for understanding tropical storm formation and intensification.

Ultimately, the change in launch sites for the TROPICS missions demonstrates the flexibility and adaptability of space missions to ensure they are best suited to meet their scientific goals and operational requirements.