NASA's 'SunRISE' mission, which studies solar storms, has changed its launch vehicle to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.
NASA's 'SunRISE' mission, which is conducting research on 'solar storms' that can affect artificial satellites and astronauts, has changed the rocket used to launch small satellites to SpaceX's Falcon Heavy.
NASA's SunRISE Mission Changes Launch Vehicle to SpaceX Falcon Heavy - NASA Science
Vulcan Centaur swapped out again: NASA goes with SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket for launch of space weather mission | Space
'SunRISE' is a solar radio interferometer space experiment that aims to gain a deeper understanding of how the sun generates solar storms by observing low-frequency radio radiation using six nanosatellites (CubeSats). After being launched and placed into geostationary orbit at an altitude of 36,000 km, the satellites will deploy their 2.5-meter antennas and function as one large radio telescope to track solar radio bursts.
SunRISE - Sun Radio Interferometer Space Experiment
https://science.nasa.gov/mission/sunrise/
The launch vehicle for the toaster-shaped small satellite carrying six CubeSats was initially planned to be the 'Vulcan Centaur,' developed by ULA (United Launch Alliance), a joint venture between Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
However, in a July 2026 information update, it was confirmed that the launch vehicle had been changed to SpaceX's 'Falcon Heavy.'
NASA has not disclosed the reason for the change, but some believe it was done to ensure certainty.
Of the four launches conducted so far for Vulcan Centaur, anomalies have been detected in two.
On the other hand, the Falcon Heavy has made 12 successful launches since 2018, four of which were for government clients. NASA has also used it three times since 2023.
The launch date for SunRISE is yet to be determined. NASA is scheduled to launch the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope aboard a Falcon Heavy in August 2026.
Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope | Scientific Satellites and Probes | Institute of Space and Astronautical Science
https://www.isas.jaxa.jp/missions/spacecraft/developing/roman.html
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