NASA Selects Rocket Lab to Launch TROPICS Mission
November 24, 2022 | Business WireEstimated reading time: 1 minute

Rocket Lab USA, Inc., a leading launch and space systems company, announced it has been selected by NASA to launch the Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats (TROPICS) mission, as part of the agency's Venture-class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract.
Rocket Lab will launch the TROPICS mission, which is part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program and consists of four CubeSats in two low-Earth orbital planes, into their operational orbit within a 60-day period. These two dedicated missions will launch on Electron rockets from Launch Complex 2 within the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at NASA Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia. The launches are scheduled to take place no earlier than May 1, 2023.
The TROPICS constellation targets the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes. TROPICS will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity as well as the horizontal and vertical structures of temperature and humidity within the storms and in their surrounding environment. These data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modeling and prediction.
“This year we once again witnessed the devastating effects of hurricanes and tropical storms on lives and livelihoods, underscoring the importance of improved climate data from space to enable scientists and researchers to accurately predict storm strength and give people time to evacuate and make plans,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO, Peter Beck. “The TROPICS satellites need a responsive and reliable path to orbit to equip people with near real-time, actionable weather data and Rocket Lab is honored to provide a dependable launch solution as we approach the 2023 hurricane season. We look forward to working closely with the team at NASA to deliver mission success once again.”
Testimonial
"In a year when every marketing dollar mattered, I chose to keep I-Connect007 in our 2025 plan. Their commitment to high-quality, insightful content aligns with Koh Young’s values and helps readers navigate a changing industry. "
Brent Fischthal - Koh YoungSuggested Items
Soaring Inference AI Demand Triggers Severe Nearline HDD Shortages; QLC SSD Shipments Poised for Breakout in 2026
09/16/2025 | TrendForceTrendForce’s latest investigations reveal that the massive data volumes generated by AI are straining the global infrastructure of data center storage.
Advanced Packaging-to-Board-Level Integration: Needs and Challenges
09/15/2025 | Devan Iyer and Matt Kelly, Global Electronics AssociationHPC data center markets now demand components with the highest processing and communication rates (low latencies and high bandwidth, often both simultaneously) and highest capacities with extreme requirements for advanced packaging solutions at both the component level and system level. Insatiable demands have been projected for heterogeneous compute, memory, storage, and data communications. Interconnect has become one of the most important pillars of compute for these systems.
Procense Raises $1.5M in Seed Funding to Accelerate AI-Powered Manufacturing
09/11/2025 | BUSINESS WIREProcense, a San Francisco-based industrial automation startup developing cutting-edge AI and remote sensing technologies for process manufacturers has raised $1.5 million in a seed funding round led by Kevin Mahaffey, Business Insider’s #1 seed investor of 2025 and HighSage Ventures, a Boston-based family office that primarily invests in public and private companies in the global software, internet, consumer, and financial technology sectors.
Zuken Announces E3.series 2026 Release for Accelerated Electrical Design and Enhanced Engineering Productivity
09/10/2025 | ZukenZuken reveals details of the upcoming 2026 release of E3.series, which will introduce powerful new features aimed at streamlining electrical and fluid design, enhancing multi-disciplinary collaboration, and boosting engineering productivity.
AI Infrastructure Boosts Global Semiconductor Revenue Growth to 17.6% in 2025
09/09/2025 | IDCAccording to the Worldwide Semiconduct o r Technology and Supply Chain Intelligence service from International Data Corporation (IDC), worldwide semiconductor revenue is expected to reach $800 billion in 2025, growing 17.6% year-over-year from $680 billion in 2024. This follows a strong rebound in 2024, when revenue grew by 22.4% year-over-year.