Rocket Lab, a private American aerospace manufacturer and small satellite launch service provider, has successfully launched NASA’s last two TROPICS CubeSats into orbit. The launch took place on August 29, 2021, from Rocket Lab’s Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula.
The TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) mission is a joint project between NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder program and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The mission aims to improve our understanding of tropical cyclones and their impact on the Earth’s climate system.
The TROPICS CubeSats are small satellites that are designed to work together as a constellation to provide high-resolution, three-dimensional measurements of temperature and moisture in the Earth’s atmosphere. The CubeSats are equipped with a microwave radiometer that can measure the temperature and moisture content of the atmosphere at different altitudes.
The TROPICS mission will provide scientists with valuable data on the formation and intensification of tropical cyclones, which are some of the most destructive weather events on the planet. The data collected by the TROPICS CubeSats will help improve our ability to predict and prepare for these storms, potentially saving lives and reducing damage to property.
Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket was used to launch the TROPICS CubeSats into orbit. The Electron rocket is a small, two-stage rocket that is designed to launch small satellites into low Earth orbit. The rocket is powered by nine Rutherford engines, which use electric pumps to deliver fuel to the engines.
The launch of the TROPICS CubeSats was the 21st mission for Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket. The company has become a leader in the small satellite launch industry, offering frequent and affordable launches for customers around the world.
In addition to launching the TROPICS CubeSats, Rocket Lab also launched several other small satellites on the same mission. These included two Earth-imaging satellites for BlackSky Global, a satellite for the United States Space Force, and a satellite for the University of South Australia.
The successful launch of the TROPICS CubeSats is a significant milestone for NASA and the TROPICS mission. The data collected by the CubeSats will provide valuable insights into tropical cyclones and their impact on the Earth’s climate system. The launch also demonstrates the growing importance of small satellite technology in space exploration and scientific research.
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- Source: https://zephyrnet.com/nasas-final-two-tropics-cubesats-launched-by-rocket-lab/