NASA has selected Rocket Lab to launch four Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) spacecraft after the original launch provider destroyed the first two in a launch failure.
Rocket Lab will launch the four satellites on a pair of Electron boosters no earlier than May 1, 2023. The satellites will provide valuable data during the 2023 Atlantic hurricane season that begins on June 1.
The TROPICS constellation targets the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes and will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity, as well as the horizontal and vertical structures of temperature and humidity within the storms and in their surrounding environment.
NASA did not provide the amount of the contract, which was awarded under the space agency’s Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) program.
The TROPICS constellation originally consisted of six satellites. Two were destroyed when an Astra Space Rocket 3.3 failed to reach orbit in June. NASA said the constellation can still function effectively with only four satellites.
NASA canceled the launch contract with Astra Space and rebid the remaining two launches. The space agency said it would launch other payloads on an Astra Space rocket in the future.
Astra Space decided to abandon Rocket 3.3 due to multiple failures. The company is now pursuing development of the larger Rocket 4 launcher.
