&sq=&lang=&file=File:TROPICS_Mission_Overview.png) TROPICS satellites | |
| Mission type | Earth observation |
|---|---|
| Operator | NASA |
| Website | science |
| Mission duration | 1 year (planned) Satellites 1 & 2: 0 days (final) Satellites 3 & 4: 1 year, 6 months and 6 days (elapsed) Satellites 5 & 6: 1 year, 5 months and 19 days (elasped) |
| Spacecraft properties | |
| Spacecraft | TROPICS |
| Spacecraft type | 3U CubeSat |
| Bus | Blue Canyon Technologies |
| Manufacturer | MIT Lincoln Laboratory |
| Launch mass | 5.34 kg (11.8 lb) |
| Dimensions | 10 × 10 × 36 cm (3.9 × 3.9 × 14.2 in) |
| Start of mission | |
| Launch date | 1st launch: 12 June 2022 (failed) 2nd launch: 8 May 2023 (successful)[1] 3rd launch: 26 May 2023 (successful)[2] |
| Rocket | Rocket 3.3, Electron |
| Launch site | Cape Canaveral SLC-46, Mahia LC-1 |
| Contractor | Astra Space, Rocket Lab |
| End of mission | |
| Decay date | Satellites 1 & 2: 12 June 2022 (launch failure) |
| Orbital parameters | |
| Reference system | Geocentric orbit (planned) |
| Regime | Low Earth Orbit |
| Altitude | 550 km |
| Inclination | 32.00°[3] |
| Period | 95.00 minutes |
| Instruments | |
| Microwave radiometer | |
Earth System Science Pathfinder [4] | |
TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats)[5] is a 2023 NASA constellation of six small satellites, 3U CubeSats, that will measure temperature and moisture profiles and precipitation in tropical systems with unprecedented temporal frequency. This data will enable scientists to study the dynamic processes that occur in the inner core of the storm resulting in rapid genesis and intensification.[6] William Blackwell of the Massachusetts Institute of Technology's Lincoln Laboratory in Lexington, Massachusetts is the principal investigator.[7][8] The constellation was initially planned to be delivered to orbit on three launches between June and July 2022.[9] Due to the loss of the first two satellites after a launch failure in June 2022,[10] the first satellites were delivered to orbit aboard a Rocket Lab Electron rocket on 7 May 2023.[11]
- ^ Davenport, Justin (8 May 2023). "Rocket Lab launches NASA's TROPICS satellites from New Zealand". NASASpaceFlight. Retrieved 7 May 2023.
- ^ "Rocket Lab launches final TROPICS mission". 24 May 2023. Retrieved 26 May 2023.
- ^ "TROPICS Press Kit Double Feature" (PDF). Rocket Lab. 10 April 2023. Retrieved 27 April 2023.
- ^ "Earth System Science Pathfinder (ESSP)". NASA. Retrieved 13 October 2018.
This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
MIT-tropicswas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ "TROPICS". NASA Earth Science DISASTERS Program. NASA. Archived from the original on 1 October 2020. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "EVI-3 Investigation Summary: Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS)" (PDF). NASA. September 2019. Archived from the original (PDF) on 13 September 2020. Retrieved 7 September 2020. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "NASA Selects Instruments to Study Air Pollution, Tropical Cyclones". NASA Earth. NASA. 10 March 2016. Retrieved 13 October 2018. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "NASA Awards Launch Service Contract for TROPICS Mission to Study Storm Processes" (Press release). NASA. 26 February 2021. Retrieved 26 February 2021. This article incorporates text from this source, which is in the public domain.
- ^ "NASA Selects Rocket Lab to Launch TROPICS Mission". Rocket Lab. Retrieved 8 May 2023.
- ^ @RocketLab (7 May 2023). "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!" (Tweet). Retrieved 8 May 2023 – via Twitter.
