NASA Engages Rocket Lab for Earth Science Missions Launch
NASA has contracted Rocket Lab to launch the PolSIR and TSIS-2 missions in 2027, critical for understanding ice clouds and solar energy input. This partnership is part of the $300 million VADR contract, allowing a decade of fixed-price launch services.

Rocket Lab is set to launch NASA's PolSIR and TSIS-2 missions from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand, in 2027. The PolSIR mission utilizes two 16U CubeSats to study ice clouds in tropical regions, measuring electromagnetic radiation to analyze ice variation and its effects on sunlight.
The TSIS-2 mission will measure solar energy input to Earth, providing data crucial for understanding ocean currents and climate. The contract, part of NASA's Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR), is valued at up to $300 million over ten years. The data from these missions will enhance weather prediction capabilities and contribute to planetary studies.




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