Weather interactive graphics in support of space launch

The Air Force’s 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS) provides operational weather services to the Air Force’s Eastern Range (ER) and NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC). These services include support to the Department of Defense (DOD), National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and commercial customers. Weather support is provided for hundreds of weather sensitive ground operations and approximately 40 launches per year, including: Space Shuttle; Titan, Atlas, Delta, Athena, and Pegasus rockets; and Trident ballistic missiles. This includes: 1. a continuous weather watch for resource protection and prelaunch processing, 2. launch countdown weather evaluations required to advise the Launch Director if weather conditions are safe for launch, and 3. support for special safety and engineering requirements to successfully launch from Florida’s east coast.

This paper describes 45 WS use of interactive graphics to ensure the decision makers are fully informed of current and forecast weather conditions critical to the success of each operation as the payloads and launch vehicles are prepared for the day of launch. Current and planned data processing systems are described. Available weather equipment and examples of weather data displays are presented. An actual weather briefing for a launch countdown on a day with adverse weather conditions is shown.