KSC/Eastern Range has developed and utilizes the latest technology to predict and understand weather constraints related to ground operations and launch to protect personnel and flight hardware. Additionally, Kennedy has advanced radar capability to monitor launch vehicle dynamics, flight performance, and debris events during launch, ascent, and landing.
A two-phase lightning policy was implemented in mid-1990’s saving KSC in excess of $1M annually in lost down time.
Eastern Range and Kennedy Space Center Meteorological Products/Services
To provide maximum launch availability, climatological data is available and within 10 days of launch, model data can be utilized to adjust launch times.
The Eastern Range (ER) has the highest launch rates in the US. ER forecasters have extensive experience in supporting daily operations and launch over a wide range of weather situations.
Meteorological Data KSC/ER have the most comprehensive instrumentation suite for assuring safe operations and launch, while providing for maximum launch and operational availability. Readily accessible weather data for investigative analysis and problem resolution.
Unique data sets include wind profiling radars up to about 61 kft, array of surface electric field sensors, array of wind sensors, lightning sensors, lightning video capture and more.
Forecast Support Facility-specific forecasts, watches and warnings ensure safe operations and rapid return to operations after hazardous conditions have moved out of the area.
Mesoscale Eastern Range Lightning Information Network (MERLIN)
Upgraded lightning launch commit criteria to increase launch availability and improve safety
Real-time launch tracking of vehicle radar signature, staging dynamics, debris events, and plume signature
Radar data to identify release site, reconstruct trajectory, dimensions (less than 0.5 in^2) and material composition of liberated debris
Relative in-flight motion, bending, and flexure detection within the vehicle stack (includes wings, tail, and engines)
Wind, temperature, and humidity measurements on three lightning protection towers at LC-39B
Two X-Band Weibel Doppler radars (portable) – offshore & down range operations
Advanced software tools for ascent or orbital object analysis
Detected and tracked astronaut tool bag lost during STS-126 EVA
Successful ARES I-X relative in-flight motion detection of 0.2 to 0.4 inches
