Launch weather forecast
Posted: May 11, 2003

 Forecast for Monday, May 12

Issued: Sunday, May 11
Launch Weather Officer: Jim Sardonia, 45th Weather Squadron

Synoptic Discussion: "Record high temperatures are expected today in some areas of Central Florida with High's in the lower to mid 90's.

"Generally favorable weather is expected on Launch Day, however there will be a concern for Enhanced Cumulus Clouds all afternoon from two sources. Model guidance is suggesting there will be a chance of scattered rainshowers developing in the afternoon hours along the remnants of an old front that is moving through the Florida peninsula. The exact location of this boundary will be critical, the likelihood of violating the triggered Lightning LCC due to Enhanced Cumulus Clouds will increase the closer this line is to Cape Canaveral. Currently, I expect the line to remain north of Cape Canaveral at the opening of the launch window. Also, Enhanced Cumulus Clouds will be possible throughout the day developing along the east-coast sea breeze in the afternoon hours. The sea breeze is not expected to push very far inland, therefore some of these Cumulus Clouds may be within 10 nautical miles of SLC 41 and violate the Cumulus Cloud Rule at some point in the launch countdown.

"In the event of a 24 hr delay, conditions now appear to improve slightly with only a slight concern for Cumulus Clouds.

"The main concern for Launch Day is the chance of enhanced Cumulus clouds within 10 nautical miles of SLC 41."

Clouds: Scattered Cumulus at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 8,000 feet; Scattered Cirrus at 24,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 26,000 feet

Visibility: 7 miles or better

Launch Pad Winds: Southeasterly from 140 degrees at 10 gusting to 18 knots (as measured at 230 feet)

Temperature: 82 to 84 degrees F

Relative Humidity: 80 percent

Weather: Isolated Rainshowers inland

Solar Activity: Low

Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 30 percent

Concerns: Chance of Enhanced Cumulus Clouds within 10 nautical miles

 

 Forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday

Tuesday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Chance of Enhanced Cumulus Clouds within 10 nautical miles

Wednesday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Chance of Enhanced Cumulus Clouds within 10 nautical miles

 

Flight data file
Vehicle: Atlas 5 (AV-002)
Payload: Hellas Sat
Launch date: May 13, 2003
Launch window: 5:57-6:31 p.m. EDT (2157-2231 GMT)
Launch site: Complex 41, Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida
Satellite broadcast: Telstar 4, Transponder 11, C-band

Pre-launch briefing
Mission preview - Our story looking at this second Atlas 5 launch.

Weather forecast - The latest forecast for launch day conditions.

Launch hazard area - A map of the restricted area during liftoff.

Ground track - See the trajectory the rocket will follow during its flight.

Orbit insertion - Illustration of Hellas Sat's trek to geostationary orbit.

The rocket - Technical story of the new Atlas 5 rocket family.

Hellas Sat - Learn more about the satellite cargo for this Atlas 5 launch.

Complex 41 - A tour of the Atlas 5 launch site and description of the "clean pad" concept.

Inaugural Atlas 5 - Our coverage of the maiden Atlas 5 flight.

Video coverage - A comprehensive collection of Atlas 5 video clips and launch pad panoramas.

Atlas index - A directory of our previous Atlas launch coverage.


Gemini 12
Gemini 12: The NASA Mission Reports covers the voyage of James Lovell and Buzz Aldrin that capped the Gemini program's efforts to prove the technologies and techniques that would be needed for the Apollo Moon landings. Includes CD-ROM.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Apollo 12 tribute DVD set

New! Featuring the jovial crew of Pete Conrad, Dick Gordon and Alan Bean, the Apollo 12 mission was struck by lightning shortly after liftoff but proceeded on the second successful exploration voyage to the lunar surface. This three-disc DVD brings the mission to life with extraordinary detail.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Fallen Heroes special patch
This special 12-inch embroidered patch commemorates the U.S. astronauts who made the ultimate sacrifice, honoring the crews of Apollo 1, Challenger and Columbia.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Women in Space
Women of Space: Cool Careers on the Final Frontier is for girls, young women, and anyone else interested in learning about exciting careers in space exploration. Includes CD-ROM.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide

Mars rover poster
This new poster features some of the best pictures from NASA's amazing Mars Exploration Rovers Spirit and Opportunity.
 Choose your store:
U.S.
MISSION STATUS CENTER

INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE

© 2009 Spaceflight Now Inc.