Weβre thrilled to partner with @NASA in launching the TROPICS mission across three dedicated launches to profoundly improve scientists' understanding of processes driving high-impact storms. Read more: https://t.co/6ZNhZZqcdi #AdAstra pic.twitter.com/OABpLKTQmu
— Astra (@Astra) February 26, 2021
A tour of @Astra's factory and testing facility in Alameda, California: https://t.co/jEPGrmViKY
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"We've invested in machines and infrastructure to produce rockets at scale." - CEO @Kemp pic.twitter.com/KpXV8S5ZLT
NASA Awards Launch ServiceΒ
Contract for TROPICS MissionΒ
to Study Storm Processes
NASA has selected Astra Space Inc. to provide a launch service for the agencyβs Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation Structure and Storm Intensity with a Constellation of SmallSats (TROPICS) mission. TheΒ TROPICS missionΒ consists of a constellation of sixΒ CubeSats and will increase the scientific communityβs understanding of storm processes.
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The launch service contract for the TROPICS mission is a firm fixed-price contract valued at $7.95 million. NASAβs Launch Services Program at the agencyβs Kennedy Space Center in Florida will manage the launch service.
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The CubeSats, each the size of a shoebox, will provide rapid-refresh microwave measurements that can be used to determine temperature, pressure, and humidity inside hurricanes as they form and evolve. The TROPICS missionβs high-revisit imaging and sounding observations are enabled by microwave technology developed at the Massachusetts Institute of Technologyβs Lincoln Laboratory. These observations will profoundly improve scientists’ understanding of processes driving high-impact storms.
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Astra Space will launch the CubeSats on the companyβs Rocket 3 from Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall Islands with three separate launches over a 120-day period. The TROPICS mission is targeted for launch between Jan. 8 and July 31, 2022, under a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) launch license.
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For more information about NASA and other agency programs, visit:
Science Team
- William Blackwell, PlMIT Lincoln Laboratory
- Scott Braun, PSNASA GSFC
- Robert Atlas, Co-INOAA AOML
- Ralf Bennartz, Co-IUniversity of Wisconsin
- Mark DeMaria, Co-INOAA NHC
- Jason Dunion, Co-IUniversity of Miami
- Ron Errico, Co-INASA GSFC/GMAO
- Vince Leslie, Co-IMIT Lincoln Laboratory
- Frank Marks, Co-INOAA AOML
- Robert Rogers, Co-INOAA AOML
- Chris Velden, Co-IUniversity of Wisconsin
![Lincoln Lab Logo](https://tropics.ll.mit.edu/CMS/tropics/images/logos/ll_Logo.png)
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