Tuesday, October 27, 2009

Summary of launch weather rules for Ares I-X

Because weather is expected to be such an issue for today's launch, here's a verbatim listing of the weather rules for the Ares I-X flight.

This listing comes directly from Page 24 of the NASA Press Kit for the mission:

T-2 hours
The vehicle stability system (VSS) is retracted and secured. Winds are not to exceed 20 knots or 23 mph from this point in the countdown until launch.

T-1 hour
The ambient temperature shall not exceed a maximum of 95 degrees F
(35 degrees C), and the ambient temperature shall not drop below a minimum of
36 degrees F (2.22 degrees C) in order to maintain operational limits for the RoCS valve.

Additional weather launch commit criteria:
-- Do not launch for 30 minutes after any type of lightning occurs within 10 nautical miles of the flight path
-- Cumulus clouds near the flight path of the vehicle are to be avoided to limit precipitation forming on the vehicle
-- Anvil clouds near the flight path of the vehicle are to be avoided to reduce probability of lightning discharge



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