Hurricanes – Spaceflight Now

NASA’s final two TROPICS CubeSats launched by Rocket Lab

May 26, 2023 Stephen Clark

The last two spacecraft in a four-satellite constellation of tropical cyclone research platforms took off late Thursday from New Zealand on a Rocket Lab Electron launcher, helping ensure NASA’s TROPICS mission is ready for observations in time for the peak of this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.

Live coverage: Rocket Lab launches NASA’s final two TROPICS satellites

May 25, 2023 Stephen Clark

NASA’s final pair of TROPICS hurricane research satellites lifted off on a Rocket Lab Electron launch vehicle from New Zealand on Thursday night (U.S. time). The two identical shoebox-size spacecraft launched at 11:46 p.m. EDT Thursday (0346 UTC Friday) from Rocket Lab’s privately-owned spaceport on Mahia Peninsula in New Zealand.

Electron rocket launches pair of cyclone-tracking CubeSats for NASA

May 8, 2023 Clive Simpson

The first pair of four NASA CubeSats designed to provide frequent updates of typhoon and hurricane development for new insights into how tropical storms evolve and intensify were launched by Rocket Lab from its New Zealand spaceport on Sunday.

Twin TROPICS satellites set to be lofted into orbit

May 5, 2023 Clive Simpson

Rocket Lab’s launch of NASA’s second pair of TROPICS hurricane research satellites, reassigned from Astra following a launch failure last year, has been rescheduled for Sunday after a delay due to unfavorable weather at the the company’s New Zealand spaceport.