TROPICS Flight 2 "Rocket Like a Hurricane" – Electron (fl 36) – Mahia, LC-1A (NZ) – 08.05.2023 01:00 UTC

[zandr]

https://nextspaceflight.com/launches/details/7041

TROPICS Flight 2
Launch Time
NET May 01, 2023
Rocket  Electron  Rocket Lab
...
Mission Details
TROPICS Flight 2
The Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission will provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements over the tropics that can be used to observe the thermodynamics of the troposphere and precipitation structure for storm systems at the mesoscale and synoptic scale over the entire storm lifecycle. TROPICS comprises a constellation of CubeSats in three low-Earth orbital planes. Each CubeSat will host a high-performance radiometer scanning across the satellite track at 30 RPM to provide temperature profiles using seven channels near the 118.75 GHz oxygen absorption line, water vapor profiles using 3 channels near the 183 GHz water vapor absorption line, imagery in a single channel near 90 GHz for precipitation measurements, and a single channel at 206 GHz for cloud ice measurements.
Payloads: 2  Total Mass: 40 kg  Low Earth Orbit

Location
Rocket Lab LC-2 (LP-0C), Wallops Flight Facility, Virginia, USA

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Launching this May: A hurricane-hunting double header for @NASA!
We're launching the TROPICS constellation across 2 Electron missions, now lifting-off from LC-1.
More about this storm-studying constellation and how Electron is enabling it. https://bwnews.pr/3Umxd9N

   

[zandr]

... следом

TROPICS will monitor the formation & evolution of tropical cyclones incl hurricanes & provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity. This will help scientists better understand the processes that effect high-impact storms, leading to improved modelling and prediction.

[zandr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1645522429824073728

The constellation consists of 4 CubeSats that require launch to a very specific orbit. All 4 sats need to be deployed within a 60-day period, making Electron the ideal rocket as it enables dedicated launch to unique orbits on highly responsive timelines.

[zandr]

... следом

The missions were initially scheduled to lift-off from LC-2 in Virginia, but will now launch from LC-1 to support a Q2 launch window that will see the sats reach orbit in time for the North American 2023 hurricane season.

[zandr]

https://twitter.com/RocketLab/status/1645522435809366016

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Mission 1: Rocket Like a Hurricane
Launch Window Opens: May 1 NZST
Launch Site: LC-1

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Two launches, four satellites, one mission - to monitor hurricanes and extreme storms to better predict their intensity and save lives. 
Both Electron rockets are now undergoing final preparation ahead of lift-off for the two @NASA TROPICS launches next month

[Pirat5]

Press Kit на обе миссии
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/assets/Uploads/F3738-TROPICS-Press-Kit.pdf

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
It's integration time for @NASA TROPICS! With satellite checks complete by the NASA and @MITLL teams at Launch Complex 1, soon the first pair of TROPICS sats will be mounted to Electron ahead of launch in >2 weeks.

First TROPICS launch: NET 1 May. https://bit.ly/2XZCCWf

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Spacecraft integration is underway this week at LC-1 for our two @NASA TROPICS missions.
The countdown to lift-off is on with the first launch scheduled no earlier than:
 NZST | 13:00, May 1
 UTC | 01:00, May 1
 EDT | 21:00, 30 April
 PDT | 18:00, 30 April

[zandr]

NASA's Launch Services Program  @NASA_LSP
A pair of TROPICS #CubeSats are in the eye of the storm - or rather, in the nose of an Electron rocket!
Teams encapsulated the cyclone-tracking satellites at @RocketLab's processing facility in Mahia, New Zealand.
Get ready to #RocketLikeAHurricane early next week!
   

[zandr]

Rocket Lab@RocketLab
Roll out is underway at Launch Complex 1 ahead of our first @NASA TROPICS launch on 1 May UTC. Always love to see the NASA meatball on Electron's fairing!

[zandr]

Перенос.
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/

Launch Window:  No earlier than May 3, 2023
Launch Time:  01:00-03:00 UTC

[zandr]

Дата выше - "не ранее".

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
High winds & stormy skies continue for most of this week at LC-1, so we're waiting for that to clear before the first of 2 @NASA TROPICS launches lifts off. Stay tuned for updates on target launch date soon as the forecast settles in the coming days.

Ждут у моря погоды.

[mik73]

На официальном канале  НАСА - начало вещания с запуска уже на 9 мая.

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Latest weather forecasts are looking better, so we're preparing for a launch attempt in the coming days for the first @NASA TROPICS launch!

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://www.rocketlabusa.com/missions/next-mission/

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Electron is vertical on the pad at LC-1 as we approach T-4 hours until lift-off for #RocketLikeAHurricane, the first of two dedicated launches for @NASA to deploy the TROPICS constellation

[zandr]

Rocket Lab@Rocket  Lab
Lift-off! Electron has cleared the pad at LC-1. TROPICS is on its way to space.

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
Electron's second stage engine has shut down as planned and the Kick Stage with the @NASA TROPICS   satellites has separated for ahead of payload deployment within the next 30 minutes.
·
The Kick Stage's Curie engine is scheduled to have completed its final burn & deployed the TROPICS satellites now. As this takes place outside of ground station coverage, we expect to receive signal and get confirmation of payload deployment within the next ~20 mins

[zandr]

Rocket Lab  @RocketLab
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!

Миссия успешна.