Latest News and Updates
May 26, 2023: TROPICS Ground Segment is communicating with both TROPICS-03 & TROPICS-07 from Rocket Lab's second TROPICS launch
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-rocket-lab-complete-launch-of-tropics-cubesat-constellation
Payload deployment confirmed! Congratulations to the launch team on our 37th Electron launch, and to our mission partners at @NASA @NASA_LSP @NASAAmes: the TROPICS constellation is officially on orbit! pic.twitter.com/xAy7ltg7m1
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 26, 2023
Our latest weather data confirms upper level winds are strong and expected to remain that way at today's lift-off target.
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 24, 2023
The weather is looking better for tomorrow, so we’re moving our @NASA TROPICS launch attempt to NET May 26, 03:30 UTC / 15:30 NZT. pic.twitter.com/UGVMUxy1di
May 24, 2023: TROPICS Second Launch with Rocket Lab scheduled for tonight (midnight EDT)
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-rocket-lab-announce-coverage-for-second-tropics-launch
May 21, 2023: TROPICS Second Launch with Rocket Lab NET May 25th NZST
https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1660381431070351361?s=20
May 15, 2023: TROPICS Launch Date Set for Second Rocket Lab Launch
https://blogs.nasa.gov/smallsatellites/2023/05/15/tropics-launch-date-set/
May 8, 2023: The TROPICS Ground Segment is communicating with both TROPICS-05 & TROPICS-06 from the first Rocket Lab launch
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-rocket-lab-launch-first-pair-of-storm-observing-cubesats
May 7, 2023: Rocket Lab confirms TROPICS CubeSat release
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/completed-missions/rocket-like-a-hurricane/
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! pic.twitter.com/LpHsT1Ct92
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 8, 2023
May 5, 2023: NASA, Rocket Lab Update Launch Coverage for Tropical Cyclones Mission
Latest weather forecasts are looking better, so we’re preparing for a launch attempt in the coming days for the first @NASA TROPICS launch!
— Rocket Lab (@RocketLab) May 5, 2023
Lift-off set for NET:
UTC | May 8, 01:00
NZT | May 8, 13:00
EDT | May 7, 21:00
PDT | May 7, 18:00
More info: https://t.co/lSTHEaWtdy pic.twitter.com/Q7JRwQjv5f
Apr. 28, 2023: Initial date for first Rocket Lab launch delayed due to weather
Apr. 26, 2023: TROPICS Launch Information: "Rocket Like a Hurricane" (Space Vehicles TROPICS-05 & TROPICS-06)
- Friday, April 28 at 4 p.m. EDT: NASA and Rocket Lab will host a media teleconference for the TROPICS mission. The teleconference audio will be livestreamed on NASA's website
- Sunday, April 30 at 9:00 p.m. EDT: Two-hour launch window opens from Rocket Lab's LC1
- At approximately 8:40 p.m. EDT – Live launch coverage begins (https://www.nasa.gov/nasalive)
- Follow countdown coverage on NASA’s launch blog (https://blogs.nasa.gov/ ) for live updates beginning no earlier than 8 p.m. as the countdown milestones occur.
- On-demand streaming video and photos of the launch will be available shortly after liftoff at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream and www.flickr.com/photos/rocketlab.
- Watch, Engage on Social Media:
- Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASA, @RocketLab
- Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
- Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA
Apr. 10, 2023: Rocket Lab to Launch NASA’s Cyclone-Tracking Satellite Constellation from New Zealand
Apr. 6, 2023: The TROPICS Mission successfully passed a "delta" Key Decision Point for Phase E (KDP-E) for the May 2023 Rocket Lab launches
KDP-E provides permission to move forward with the launches and start operations.
Nov. 23, 2022: NASA has selected Rocket Lab USA Inc. to provide the launch service for the agency’s TROPICS mission.
https://spacenews.com/rocket-lab-to-launch-remaining-nasa-tropics-satellites/
Sep. 28, 2022: TROPICS mission moves to Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) IDIQ contract targeting the 2023 hurricane season.
https://spacenews.com/nasa-and-astra-modify-tropics-launch-contract/
Aug. 22, 2022: The TROPICS Pathfinder satellite is a 2022 R&D 100 winner in the Prototyping Category
https://www.ll.mit.edu/news/six-lincoln-laboratory-inventions-win-rd-100-awards
https://www.rdworldonline.com/rd-100-winners-for-2022-are-announced
Aug. 4, 2022: Astra cancels Rocket 3 to focus on larger vehicle
https://spacenews.com/astra-cancels-rocket-3-to-focus-on-larger-vehicle/
June 10, 2022: Astra cleared for TROPICS launches by FAA
https://astra.com/news/tropics-mission-observation/
Astra video discussing mission
June 9, 2022 Spacenews: Astra ready for first of three NASA TROPICS launches
https://spacenews.com/astra-ready-for-first-of-three-nasa-tropics-launches/
June 8, 2022: Astra TROPICS-1 Website (Space Vehicles TROPICS-02 & TROPICS-04)
https://astra.com/missions/tropics-1/
May 10, 2022: Astra Space's Launch Readiness
https://astra.com/news/how-we-launch-what-it-takes-to-prepare/
Mar. 31, 2022: The TROPICS Mission successfully passed the Key Decision Point for Phase E (KDP-E)
KDP-E provides permission to move forward with the launches and start operations.
In February 2022, TROPICS completed the Operational Readiness Review and Mission Readiness Review.
Mar. 15, 2022: Astra Space's Astra-1 launch
https://astra.com/news/spaceflight-astra-1-mission/
Spaceflight's Astra-1 Mission Full Recap (YouTube)
Dec. 13, 2021: TROPICS featured in "Tour 2022: NASA's Upcoming Earth Missions"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VPvwwELRNis&t=88s/
Nov. 22, 2021: Astra Rocket 3.3 reaches orbit
https://astra.com/news/astra-reaches-orbit/
Sept. 26, 2021: UW-M SSEC CIMSS Satellite Blog: TROPICS Pathfinder view of super typhoon Mindulle
https://cimss.ssec.wisc.edu/satellite-blog/archives/42909
Sept. 13, 2021: NASA’s TROPICS Pathfinder Satellite Produces Global First Light Images and Captures Hurricane Ida
Sept. 3, 2021: NASA Test Satellite Provides Insight into Hurricane Ida
https://appliedsciences.nasa.gov/our-impact/news/nasa-test-satellite-provides-insight-hurricane-ida
August 30, 2021: TROPICS Pathfinder measures Hurricane Ida (Cat 4).
Images from the 205-GHz channel just before and after Ida makes landfall. This channel is the highest frequency, and therefore is the most sensitive to scattering off of precipitation. The Tropical Cyclone's rainbands are clearly visible, which would be obfuscated under the clouds in VIS/IR images.
August 17, 2021: UW-M SSEC has started the TROPICS Data Processing Center commissioning.
July 29, 2021: KXAN: How tiny satellites could help warn the next big hurricane
July 23, 2021: BCT has successfully completed their TROPICS Pathfinder bus commissioning. Payload commissioning begins on 26-July-2021.
July 16, 2021: TROPICS Pathfinder has been successfully identified as Object Y from the Transporter 2 launch of 88 satellites (NORAD ID: 48901)
July 1, 2021: KSAT and BCT make initial contact with Pathfinder
June 30, 2021 at 19:31 UTC: SpaceX Transporter 2 (Falcon 9) launch with TROPICS Pathfinder (TROPICS-01) onboard
Link to Stage-1 landing burn and second engine cut-off
Link to deployment of TROPICS Pathfinder satellite
June 30, 2021: Pathfinder Satellite Paves Way for Constellation of Tropical-storm Observers
June 30, 2021: Small Satellites to Study Big Storms – NASA Prepares for the TROPICS Mission
June 28, 2021: How a Squad of Small Satellites Will Help NASA Study Storms Observers
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=USOAVQL1TIA
June 25, 2021: WIRED: Tiny Satellites Could Help Warn of the Next Big Hurricane
https://www.wired.com/story/tiny-satellites-could-help-warn-of-the-next-big-hurricane/
June 24, 2021: Sneak preview of TROPICS mission with rare pathfinder launch
https://www.ssec.wisc.edu/news/articles/13720
Feb. 26, 2021: NASA selects Astra Space Inc. for TROPICS constellation Launch Provider
Dec. 8, 2017: NASA Policy Provides New Approach To Space Science And Technology Missions
March 10, 2016: NASA selects TROPICS in the Earth Venture Instrument 3 Competition
https://www.nasa.gov/press-release/nasa-selects-instruments-to-study-air-pollution-tropical-cyclones
