TROPICS Launch Now Targeting May 25

NASA and Rocket Lab are now targeting no earlier than 12 a.m. EDT Thursday, May 25, (4 p.m. NZST) for the final launch of the agency's TROPICS (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) mission due to unfavorable weather conditions. Rocket Lab will continue to assess the weather, and provide updates.

The pair of spacecraft remain healthy and ready for launch on a Rocket Lab Electron rocket from Launch Complex 1 in Māhia, New Zealand.

This launch is the second of two planned launches, each sending a pair of shoebox-sized satellites to low Earth orbit to make more frequent observations of tropical cyclones, which includes hurricanes and typhoons. TROPICS will provide data on temperature, precipitation, water vapor, and clouds by measuring microwave frequencies, providing insight into storm formation and intensification. The data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modeling and prediction.

Rocket Lab will provide live coverage beginning approximately 20 minutes before launch. Coverage will air on NASA Television, the NASA app, the agency's website, and Rocket Lab's website. Coverage will begin around 11:40 p.m. EDT on May 24.

Follow launch updates on NASA's Small Satellite Missions blog and stay connected with the mission on social media.

Twitter: @NASA_LSP, @NASAEarth, @NASAGoddard, @NASA, @RocketLab
Facebook: NASA, NASA LSP, RocketLabUSA
nstagram: @NASA, @NASAEarth, @RocketLabUSA