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Starlink-L20 - L-3 Days

Falcon 9

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Valid Period

Mar 8, 2021 02:20 - 04:21 UTC (21:20 - 23:21 ET)

Issued

Fri Mar 5, 2021 at 13:00 UTC (08:00 ET)

Forecast Discussion

Space Launch Delta 45

Expect spectacular weather across Central Florida today with partly cloudy skies, northeast winds, and temperatures reaching into the mid-70s. Elsewhere, a low pressure area is organizing in the Gulf of Mexico which will increase cloud cover overnight. On Saturday, this system will bring widespread clouds, showers and isolated thunderstorms, as well as gusty winds through the day as it transits South Florida. The system will continue to move east into the Atlantic on Sunday, taking much of the unsettled weather with it, as high pressure builds into Florida. The pressure gradient between these two systems will keep gusty northerly winds over the Space Coast throughout the day. On Monday, winds will diminish and become more northeasterly as the high pressure area moves off the Mid-Atlantic coast. The primary weather concern for an attempt Monday evening is liftoff winds from this pressure gradient. Expect much the same conditions on Tuesday as the winds become easterly, increasing cloud cover slightly. This will add a slight threat for a Cumulus Cloud Rule violation to the liftoff winds as primary concerns for an attempt Tuesday.

Primary Launch Date

Launch Day

Primary Window

80%
PGO

Primary Concerns

  • Liftoff Winds

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

  • Liftoff Winds
  • Cumulus Cloud Rule

Additional Risk Criteria

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