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Starlink 4-37 - L-3 Days

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

Dec 16, 2022 21:39 - 22:39 UTC (16:39 - 17:39 ET)

Issued

Tue Dec 13, 2022 at 14:00 UTC (09:00 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

Launch conditions look to be favorable at the end of the week after a strong cold front pushes through the area on Thursday. Over the next few days, the front will trek across the southeast, triggering severe storms from West Texas to the Florida panhandle. It will begin to weaken by the time it gets to Central Florida on Thursday afternoon as it loses upper-level support, but there should still be enough energy for strong to a few severe storms. After the front pushes through, drier and cooler air will begin to filter into the area by Friday afternoon. The only concern for Friday’s attempt is the small risk of a Thick Cloud Layers Rule violation from any lingering mid-level cloud cover. By Saturday, even though the front will remain to our south, a mid-level disturbance will bring in some additional moisture from the Gulf and increase cloud cover in the area. Therefore, launch weather looks marginally less favorable on Saturday with the main concern remaining the Thick Cloud Layers Rule.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

90%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Thick Cloud Layer Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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

Backup Opportunities

24-Hour Delay

Backup Window

70%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Thick Cloud Layer Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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