Spaceflight Now Home



Mission Briefing




Mission preview - Our in-depth story previewing this launch of the first Delta 4-Heavy.

Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Launch Hazard Area - Map showing the restricted area around Cape Canaveral during launch.

Delta 4-Heavy - Overview of this heavy-lift rocket in the Delta 4 family.

DemoSat - Description of the satellite simulator and two nanosats being flown on this launch.

Pre-launch flow - Illustration of the rocket checkout and assembly at Cape facilities.

D4-H archive - Collection of past stories and pictures of the Delta 4-Heavy.

Delta directory - See our coverage of previous Delta rocket flights.



NewsAlert



Sign up for our NewsAlert service and have the latest news in astronomy and space e-mailed direct to your desktop.

Enter your e-mail address:
Privacy note: your e-mail address will not be used for any other purpose.


Launch weather forecast
Posted: December 8, 2004

 Forecast for Friday, December 10

Issued: Wednesday, December 8
Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron

Synoptic Discussion: "A cold front will move through Central Florida on Friday bringing clouds and precipitation into the area and colder temperatures for the weekend. Surface winds will increase and become southwesterly on launch day, causing a concern for ground winds. The front will clear the area by Saturday, but strong winds will persist behind the front throughout the day.

"Main concerns on launch day will be violation of ground wind, cumulus cloud, and flight through precipitation rules."

Clouds: Scattered at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 5,000 feet; Broken at 10,000 feet with 5/8ths sky coverage and tops at 14,000 feet; Broken at 25,000 feet with 7/8ths sky coverage and tops at 27,000 feet

Visibility: 10 miles

Launch Pad Winds: Southwesterly from 240 degrees at 15 gusting to 20 knots

Temperature: 75 to 77 degrees F

Relative Humidity: 70 percent

Weather: Mostly cloudy, isolated showers

Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 60 percent

Concerns: Ground wind, flight through precipitation and cumulous cloud rules
 

 Times of note

Friday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Friday's sunset: 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT)
Saturday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Sunday's launch window: 2:32 to 5:28 p.m. EST (1932-2228 GMT)
 

 24- and 48-hour Delay Forecasts

Saturday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 40 percent
Concerns: Ground wind

Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Ground wind
 

Gemini 7
Gemini 7: The NASA Mission Reports covers this 14-day mission by Borman and Lovell as they demonstrated some of the more essential facts of space flight. Includes CD-ROM.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
Apollo patches
The Apollo Patch Collection: Includes all 12 Apollo mission patches plus the Apollo Program Patch. Save over 20% off the Individual price.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
Mars Rover mission patch
A mission patch featuring NASA's Mars Exploration Rover is available from our online.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
Apollo 9 DVD
On the road to the moon, the mission of Apollo 9 stands as an important gateway in experience and procedures. This 2-DVD collection presents the crucial mission on the voyage to the moon.
 Choose your store:
U.S. - U.K. - E.U. - Worldwide
MISSION STATUS CENTER
INDEX | PLUS | NEWS ARCHIVE | LAUNCH SCHEDULE
ASTRONOMY NOW | STORE

ADVERTISE

© 2010 Spaceflight Now Inc.