Weather Support To Space Launch: A Quarter-Century Look At Weather Instrumentation Improvements

The primary launch site since America’s entry into the space race has been the east coast of central Florida, home of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (part of the Air Force’s Eastern Range(ER)and the National Aeronautics and Space Administration’s (NASA)Kennedy Space Center KSC). On 1 October 1978, the Air Force assumed sole operational responsibility for weather support at both the ER and KSC. (Note: National Weather Service continues to support NASA at the Johnson Space Center, which includes weather forecasts for Space Shuttle landings at KSC). Air Force weather support at the ER and KSC includes day-of-launch operations and pre-launch ground processing, as well as, personnel safety and resource protection via weather warnings and advisories. Launch customers include Department of Defense (DOD), NASA, and commercial companies.

Aerospace vehicles present a unique challenge in weather support to ensure both mission success and safety of personnel. Beginning with the preparation for the first missile launch of the “Bumper 8” in July 1950, weather support requirements, and the instrumentation necessary to meet those requirements, have been under continuous review and improvement to ensure the safe processing and launch of these vehicles. This paper addresses the second half of that 50-year period, since the Air Force assumed responsibility for weather support to KSC. A brief review of launch weather unique requirements is presented. Systems in use in 1978 and those improved or added since then to meet space launch requirements are described, with emphasis on winds (surface and upper-air), lightning detection/prediction, weather radar, and integration and display systems.