Success
TROPICS-2
Earth Science
Rocket Lab(RL)CommercialElectron
LEOorbit
Third and fourth operational (TROPICS-04 & TROPICS-05) satellites for NASA's Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission. The CubeSats are designed to provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements that can be used to determine temperature, pressure, and humidity inside hurricanes as they form and evolve.
Monday, May 8, 2023 at 1:00 AM
Replay
Links
Mission details
Orbital Attempt
#6,435
RL Mission
#36
Pad Launch
#8
Location Launch
#34
Designator
2023-062
Launch Window
NET
May 8, 2023, 1:00 AM
Precision
Minute
Schedule Changes
1 update
Electron Specs
Electron is a two-stage orbital expendable launch vehicle (with an optional third stage) developed by the American aerospace company Rocket Lab. Electron is a small-lift launch vehicle designed to launch small satellites and cubesats to sun-synchronous orbit and low earth orbit. The Electron is the first orbital class rocket to use electric-pump-fed engines, powered by the 9 Rutherford engines on the first stage. It is also used as a suborbital testbed (called HASTE) for hypersonics research.
Length
18 m
Diameter
1.2 m
Launch Mass
13 t
Thrust
162 kN
LEO Capacity
300 kg
SSO Capacity
225 kg
Launch Cost
$6M
Reusable
No
Maiden Flight
2017
Fastest Turnaround
21h 55m
Total Launches
88
Successful
84
Failed
4
Consecutive Success
47
Maiden flight: May 25, 2017
Social Flight Log
- May 8, 2023, 2:49 AM
Both TROPICS satellites have deployed from the Electron kickstage
Source - May 8, 2023, 1:00 AM
Liftoff of Electron carrying 2 NASA TROPICS satellite
- May 8, 2023, 12:24 AM
Livestream has started
Source - May 5, 2023, 3:57 AM
New launch date confirmed.
Source - May 1, 2023, 10:02 PM
Delayed again due to weather, new date will be determined after the storm passes.
Source - Apr 28, 2023, 8:28 PM
Launch delayed to NET May 3rd as teams monitor a storm at the launch site.
Source - Apr 10, 2023, 9:16 PM
Setting GO. Rocket Lab has confirmed they have moved the mission to LC-1 in New Zealand
Source - Nov 23, 2022, 3:59 PM
Updating launch vehicle, provider, and pad. Launch NET May 1, 2023.
Source - Aug 4, 2022, 10:58 PM
NET 2023; rocket configuration will be updated later on DB
Source - Mar 25, 2022, 9:53 PM
NET April
Source
Rocket Lab
Rocket Lab is an American aerospace manufacturer with a wholly owned New Zealand subsidiary. The company develops lightweight, cost-effective commercial rocket launch services. The Electron Program was founded on the premise that small payloads such as CubeSats require dedicated small launch vehicles and flexibility not currently offered by traditional rocket systems. Its rocket, the Electron, is a light-weight rocket and is now operating commercially. The company is also producing a variety of spacecrafts and spacecrafts components.
Founded
2006
Administrator
CEO: Peter Beck
Total Launches
88
Successful
84
Failed
4
Pending
42
Consecutive Success
47
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1, Mahia Peninsula, New Zealand
Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 is a commercial spaceport located close to Ahuriri Point at the southern tip of Māhia Peninsula, on the east coast of New Zealand's North Island. It is owned and operated by private spaceflight company Rocket Lab and supports launches of the company's Electron rocket for small satellites. With the launch of Electron on 25 May 2017, it became the first private spaceport to host an orbital launch attempt, and the first site in New Zealand to host an orbital launch attempt. With the Electron launch of 21 January 2018, it became the first private spaceport to host a successful orbital launch.
Timezone
Pacific/Auckland
Local Launch Time
May 8, 2023, 1:00 PM
Total Launches
76
Total Landings
17
Coordinates
-39.2608, 177.8659