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StarlinkV1.0 L-16 - L-2 Days

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

Jan 18, 2021 13:40 - 13:51 UTC (08:40 - 08:51 ET)

Issued

Sat Jan 16, 2021 at 14:30 UTC (09:30 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

After the frontal passage last night, high pressure has set in to the area leading to few clouds and increasing winds through the afternoon. On Monday, moisture from a low pressure system east of the Spaceport will inundate the area, causing an increase in cloud cover that tapers off through the morning as the low moves further northeast. This will lead to broken low-topped cumulus and stratocumulus that will begin to dissipate through the launch window. An increased pressure gradient will cause the west to northwest winds to be elevated. The Cumulus Cloud Rule and the Thick Cloud Layer Rule will be the primary concerns for the launch day. As the front moves out of the area, high pressure will begin to build in over the Spaceport Monday night, causing drier conditions and winds from the north to northeast. A few cumulus clouds could develop over the coast in the morning, leading to the Cumulus Cloud Rule being the primary concern for a Tuesday launch attempt.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

70%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Cumulus Cloud Rule
  • Thick Cloud Layer Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

CriteriaRisk Level
Upper-Level Wind ShearModerate
Booster Recovery WeatherModerate
Solar ActivityLow

Backup Opportunities

24-Hour Delay

Backup Window

90%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Cumulus Cloud Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

CriteriaRisk Level
Upper-Level Wind ShearLow
Booster Recovery WeatherLow
Solar ActivityLow