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NASA Selects Rocket Lab for Sun, Earth Science Missions

June 1, 2023

2 min read

Key Takeaways

NASA selects Rocket Lab for PolSIR and TSIS-2 missions.
PolSIR will study ice clouds in tropical regions.
TSIS-2 will measure the Sun's energy input to Earth.

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Strategic Implications

This selection may indicate NASA's growing confidence in Rocket Lab's capabilities, which could strengthen the company's position in the small satellite launch market. The VADR contract suggests a shift towards more flexible and cost-effective launch services, which may benefit other small satellite operators.

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What Happened

Rocket Lab Wins Contract for PolSIR and TSIS-2 Launches

NASA has selected Rocket Lab to launch two science missions, PolSIR and TSIS-2, as part of its Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract. The PolSIR mission will study ice clouds in tropical regions, while TSIS-2 will measure the Sun’s energy input to Earth. Rocket Lab will launch the missions aboard its Electron rockets from Launch Complex 1 in Mahia, New Zealand. The selections were made under NASA’s VADR contract, which allows the agency to award fixed-price launch service task orders during a 10-year period. This was reported by NASA.

Source | Originally Published: June 1, 2023

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