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NASA and Rocket Lab to Launch TROPICS Mission to Study Tropical Cyclones with CubeSats
NASA and Rocket Lab are set to launch the TROPICS mission, consisting of four CubeSats to study tropical cyclones from low Earth orbit.
Credits: NASA
NASA and Rocket Lab are set to launch the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission to study tropical cyclones.
The mission involves sending four identical CubeSats to observe tropical cyclones more frequently from low Earth orbit. Each payload will carry two CubeSats and will be launched on Rocket Lab’s Electron rocket.
TROPICS has the potential to provide hourly observations of a storm’s precipitation, temperature and humidity, an improvement in comparison to the current six-hour intervals.
The mission will boost understanding of the processes driving changes in storm structure and integrity and will be part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Programme. The launch is set for 1 p.m. NZST on May 1.
For more information about NASA’s TROPICS, visit:
Saturday, April 30
Approximately 8:40 p.m. – Live launch coverage begins
9 p.m. – Launch window opens
NASA website launch coverage
Follow countdown coverage on NASA’s launch blog 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 on Rocket Lab’s website and Flickr.
Watch, engage on social media
Stay connected and receive mission updates by following and tagging these accounts:
Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAKennedy, @NASA, @RocketLab
Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
Instagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA
Source: NASA