The ‘Rocket Like a Hurricane’ launch is scheduled to lift off from Rocket Lab Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand as early as May 8 to deploy the first set of TROPICS satellites for NASA’s hurricane monitoring constellation

MAHIA, New Zealand / May 07, 2023 / Business Wire / Rocket Lab USA, Inc. (Nasdaq: RKLB) (“Rocket Lab” or “the Company”), a leading launch and space systems company, is preparing for the first of two dedicated Electron launches to deploy a constellation of storm monitoring satellites for NASA.

The first launch, called ‘Rocket Like a Hurricane,’ is scheduled for lift-off no earlier than 13:00 on May 8^th NZST from Launch Complex 1 on New Zealand’s Mahia Peninsula. The launch window extends for two hours and there are back up opportunities throughout May should the launch date need to be adjusted.

Launch Window:
NZST: 13:00 – 15:00, May 8
UTC: 01:00 – 03:00, May 8
EDT: 21:00 – 23:00, May 7
PDT: 18:00 – 20:00, May 7

The TROPICS constellation (Time-Resolved Observations of Precipitation structure and storm Intensity with a Constellation of Smallsats) will monitor the formation and evolution of tropical cyclones, including hurricanes, and will provide rapidly updating observations of storm intensity. This data will help scientists better understand the processes that effect these high-impact storms, ultimately leading to improved modelling and prediction. The constellation, which is part of NASA’s Earth System Science Pathfinder Program, consists of four CubeSats that require launch to a specific orbit at an altitude of 550 kilometers and inclination of about 30 degrees. All four satellites need to be deployed into their operational orbit within a 60-day period. The second launch ‘Coming To a Storm Near You’ is expected to launch approximately two weeks following the successful launch of “Rocket Like a Hurricane.”

The live launch webcast will be available at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream from around T-20 minutes on launch day. Follow Rocket Lab on Twitter @RocketLab for real time mission updates on launch day.

“Electron has been providing reliable and dedicated launch for NASA since 2018, including a successful mission to the Moon last year, and it’s an honor to be entrusted once again for the TROPICS launches,” said Rocket Lab founder and CEO Peter Beck. “We’re immensely grateful to play a role in equipping scientists and researchers with more accurate and timely data about the formation and intensity of tropical storms to help protect lives and livelihoods.”

‘Rocket Like a Hurricane’ will be Rocket Lab’s fourth Electron mission for 2023 and the Company’s 36^th launch overall since Rocket Lab’s first Electron launch in 2017. The TROPICS launches follow on from previous successful Electron missions for NASA, including the ELaNa-19 mission and CAPSTONE mission to the Moon.

ABOUT Rocket Lab

Founded in 2006, Rocket Lab is an end-to-end space company with an established track record of mission success. We deliver reliable launch services, satellite manufacture, spacecraft components, and on-orbit management solutions that make it faster, easier and more affordable to access space. Headquartered in Long Beach, California, Rocket Lab designs and manufactures the Electron small orbital launch vehicle, the Photon satellite platform and the Company is developing the large Neutron launch vehicle for constellation deployment. Since its first orbital launch in January 2018, Rocket Lab’s Electron launch vehicle has become the second most frequently launched U.S. rocket annually and has delivered 159 satellites to orbit for private and public sector organizations, enabling operations in national security, scientific research, space debris mitigation, Earth observation, climate monitoring, and communications. Rocket Lab’s Photon spacecraft platform has been selected to support NASA missions to the Moon and Mars, as well as the first private commercial mission to Venus. Rocket Lab has three launch pads at two launch sites, including two launch pads at a private orbital launch site located in New Zealand and a third pad in Virginia. To learn more, visit www.rocketlabusa.com.

Forward Looking Statements

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