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Starlink 4-18 - L-3 Days

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

May 18, 2022 10:10 - 11:10 UTC (06:10 - 07:10 ET)

Issued

Sun May 15, 2022 at 11:30 UTC (07:30 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

The high pressure area over the Atlantic Ocean will gradually drift away from the Florida Peninsula over the next few days as a frontal system moves into eastern US. Southerly winds will keep the temperatures elevated in Central Florida and allow daily sea breeze interactions to produce isolated showers and thunderstorms each afternoon and evening. The frontal system will push off the Eastern Seaboard on Monday, with the tail end of the front lagging into the Florida Panhandle. On Tuesday, the remnants of the boundary will stall mostly north of the Space Coast, but could add ingredients to enhance the shower and thunderstorm coverage and intensity. The high pressure area will be gin to build back into the area on Wednesday, returning Central Florida to the daily cycle of sea breeze interaction. The Primary weather concern for a launch attempt Wednesday morning is the Cumulus Cloud Rule. High pressure will continue to build into the area on Thursday, keeping conditions much the same as the previous day. The primary weather concern for Thursday morning remains the Cumulus Cloud Rule.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

80%
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

80%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Cumulus Cloud Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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