NASA Selects Firefly Aerospace for INCUS Mission Launch

NASA has chosen Firefly Aerospace Inc. of Cedar Park, Texas, to provide the launch service for the agency’s Investigation of Convective Updrafts (INCUS) mission. This mission, set to launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia, aims to study tropical convective storms and their impact on extreme weather events.

The selection of Firefly Aerospace is part of NASA’s Venture-Class Acquisition of Dedicated and Rideshare (VADR) launch services contract, with a total value of $300 million across all contracts. The INCUS mission will consist of three SmallSats working together to investigate the vertical transport of air and water by convective storms.

These storms are known for their ability to produce rain, hail, and lightning, posing a risk of extreme weather events. By closely monitoring changes in convective cloud depth and intensities, the satellites will provide valuable data on the behavior of these storms.

The INCUS mission was selected through NASA’s Earth Venture Mission-3 solicitation and Earth System Science Pathfinder program. Led by principal investigator Susan van den Heever at Colorado State University, the mission is supported by various NASA centers and key satellite system components provided by Blue Canyon Technologies and Tendeg LLC in Colorado.

To learn more about NASA’s INCUS mission, visit: https://science.nasa.gov/mission/incus

In conclusion, NASA’s selection of Firefly Aerospace for the INCUS mission launch marks a significant step in understanding the behavior of convective storms and their impact on extreme weather events. Through innovative satellite technology and collaboration with leading institutions, this mission aims to provide valuable insights into the dynamics of convective storms for improved weather forecasting and disaster preparedness. Stay engaged with NASA’s latest missions and discoveries to stay informed about cutting-edge research in Earth and space science.