On June 25, 2026, NASA officially selected Rocket Lab to launch two separate climate and solar science missions: PolSIR and TSIS-2. Rocket Lab will provide three dedicated Electron launches from Launch Complex 1 in New Zealand.
The launches are scheduled to begin sequentially starting in Q1 2027. NASA chose Rocket Lab based on Electron's proven deployment accuracy, extensive flight heritage, and ability to meet tight, time-sensitive schedules. The missions leverage Rocket Lab's unique capability to deliver payloads within meters of their target orbital destination, vastly exceeding the kilometer-level industry standard.
**The missions:**
PolSIR (Polarized Submillimeter Ice-cloud Radiometer): This mission consists of two identical CubeSats flying in separate orbits to study high-altitude ice clouds in tropical and sub-tropical regions, providing data to improve global climate and weather models. It will utilize two back-to-back Electron launches scheduled no earlier than June 2027.
TSIS-2 (Total and Spectral Solar Irradiance Sensor-2): A single satellite mission scheduled for early 2027 that will measure the Sun's brightness across ultraviolet, visible, and infrared wavelengths. The data will be used to predict ozone layer recovery and provide real-life air quality forecasts.
