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Sirius XM-7 - L-1 Day

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

Dec 11, 2020 16:20 - 18:20 UTC (11:20 - 13:20 ET)

Issued

Thu Dec 10, 2020 at 13:00 UTC (08:00 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

High pressure centered over the Florida peninsula will reform over the western Atlantic through the end of the week. Winds will gradually veer onshore as this takes place, modifying temperatures and slowly increasing moisture. For the primary launch window Friday morning, favorable conditions are expected for launch with light onshore winds bringing the stratocumulus and cumulus deck over the local Atlantic into the coast. There will be only a small threat for this activity to potentially violate the Cumulus Cloud Rule. By Saturday, the high will be centered well into the Western Atlantic with the next cold front moving into the Central Gulf of Mexico. This system is not expected to have a direct impact during the launch window, but may lead to an increase in high clouds by midday. Increasing east-southeast winds will bring more robust cumulus clouds towards the Spaceport along with the potential for a few sprinkles. The primary weather concern for a Saturday morning attempt will remain cumulus clouds.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

90%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Cumulus Cloud Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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

Backup Opportunities

24-Hour Delay

Backup Window

70%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Cumulus Cloud Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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