Starlink-L26 - L-0 Day
Falcon 9
Valid Period
May 15, 2021 22:24 - 23:25 UTC (18:24 - 19:25 ET)
Issued
Sat May 15, 2021 at 13:30 UTC (09:30 ET)
Forecast Discussion
No significant changes to today’s forecast. Cooler and drier air is in place over central Florida as a front is stalled out well to our south and high pressure builds to the north. With the high centered over the mid-Atlantic coast, a relatively strong pressure gradient will create a breezy, northeasterly flow throughout the day. There will likely be isolated showers moving off the Atlantic, but dry air in the mid-levels combined with sinking air behind the sea breeze should limit their growth to be nothing more than a flight-through constraint. Therefore, the main concerns for today’s attempt are liftoff winds and the Cumulus Cloud Rule. For tomorrow, there will be marginally improved conditions as the high pressure slowly slides southeast. While it will still be breezy, winds will decrease slightly and remain from the northeast. Similarly to Saturday, sinking, dry air in the mid-levels will continue to limit the growth of any onshore moving showers that develop over the Atlantic. Thus, the main concerns are liftoff winds and the Cumulus Cloud Rule.
Primary Launch Date
Primary Window
Primary Concerns
- Liftoff Winds
- Cumulus Cloud Rule
Additional Risk Criteria
| Criteria | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Upper-Level Wind Shear | Low |
| Booster Recovery Weather | Moderate |
| Solar Activity | Low |
Backup Opportunities
Backup Window
Primary Concerns
- Liftoff Winds
- Cumulus Cloud Rule
Additional Risk Criteria
| Criteria | Risk Level |
|---|---|
| Upper-Level Wind Shear | Low |
| Booster Recovery Weather | Low |
| Solar Activity | Low |