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Rocket Lab has been contracted by NASA to launch two small satellites as part of the PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far-InfraRed Experiment) mission. These satellites will gather data on the far-infrared energy emitted at Earth’s poles and how it changes throughout the day and year. Far-infrared emissions make up nearly 60% of the emissions in the Arctic. By comparing this data to conditions in cloud cover and sea ice levels, scientists hope to improve climate models.

The two CubeSats, each the size of a bread loaf, will be equipped with a miniaturized instrument called a thermal IR spectrometer. Rocket Lab is scheduled to conduct two launches in May 2024 using its Electron rocket. These launches will take place from the company’s launch site in New Zealand and will deploy the CubeSats into near-polar orbits. The data collection period will last for at least 10 months.

Rocket Lab’s ability to meet the specific requirements of the mission and deploy small satellite missions on responsive timelines was a key factor in NASA’s decision. The launch contract was awarded under NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) program, which aims to put NASA payloads on commercial rockets. The program has a budget of 0 million over five years.

This will be the seventh and eighth launch conducted by Rocket Lab on behalf of NASA since 2018. Earlier this year, the company successfully placed four of NASA’s storm-watching satellites into orbit. The exact value of the launch contract has not been disclosed by Rocket Lab or NASA.

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