NASA PREFIRE Satellites launch successfully
Both PREFIRE CubeSats successfully launched in Mahia, New Zealand on May 25, 2024 (PREFIRE-SAT2) and June 5, 2024 (PREFIRE-SAT1). The two satellites, launched by Rocket Lab, are part of NASA PREFIRE (Polar Radiant Energy in the Far InfraRed Experiment) and will be the first to measure far-infrared radiation in polar regions.
Watch the launches here:
Ready, Aim, PREFIRE (PREFIRE-SAT2)
PREFIRE and Ice (PREFIRE-SAT1)
Rocket Lab images of the PREFIRE launches and preparation activities:
Top image: “Ready, Aim, PREFIRE”: The PREFIRE-SAT2 CubeSat is in an orbit very near to what was expected, is in good health, and the usual spacecraft check-out activities have been completed. We are now gathering an assortment of data with our spectrometer to help us properly calibrate our main science measurements later.
Bottom image: “PREFIRE and Ice”: The PREFIRE-SAT1 CubeSat is in an orbit very near to what was expected, is in good health, and spacecraft check-out activities are ongoing.
