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StarlinkV1.0 L-16 - L-3 Days

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

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

Issued

Fri Jan 15, 2021 at 14:30 UTC (09:30 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

A cold front will move through the area this evening into early Saturday morning bringing rain showers and breezy winds. Conditions will begin to improve after frontal passage as high pressure dominates the area leading to few clouds over the Cape. On Monday, moisture from a low pressure system east of the Cape will inundate the area, causing an increase in cloud cover that tapers off through the day as the low moves further northeast. This will lead to broken low-topped cumulus and stratocumulus that will remain through the launch window. An increased pressure gradient will cause the west to northwest winds to be elevated. Thick Cloud Layer Rule and Cumulus Cloud 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 Space Coast late 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 Cumulus Cloud rule being the primary concern for a Tuesday launch attempt.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

70%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Thick Cloud Layer Rule
  • Cumulus Cloud 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