Category: NASA

Shuttle to Launch Just Before Midnight

28 August, 2009 (22:31) | NASA | 1 comment

Space Shuttle mission STS-128 is set to takeoff within the hour.
The weather is go for launch and return to launch site. Earlier storms have dissipated or are in the process of dissipating outside the critical circles.
There are no technical issues.
Liftoff is scheduled for 10:59 p.m. CDT.
NASA Shuttle Launch [...]

Shuttle Mission Scrubbed

13 July, 2009 (17:51) | NASA | 4 comments

Poor weather has again scrubbed the launch of STS-127, the Space Shuttle Endeavour.

A thunderstorm north of the Cape resulted in a red to launch condition for lightning and the presence of thunderstorm anvil clouds. There was also a field mill violation (which is a measurement of the electrical field from stations [...]

Atlantis Landing Waved Off For Today

23 May, 2009 (07:38) | NASA | 2 comments

Mission controllers at NASA have waved off the landing opportunities for today for the Space Shuttle Atlantis because of weather at the Kennedy Space Center.
There is a chance that the weather could cooperate at Kennedy tomorrow with improvement expected.
The first opportunity tomorrow in Florida is at 9:11 a.m. CDT with a de-orbit burn [...]

First Landing Opportunity for Atlantis Passed Up

23 May, 2009 (06:54) | NASA | No comments

Mission Controllers at NASA have decided to pass up the first of six landing opportunities for the Space Shuttle Atlantis this morning because of weather at the Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
The alternate landing facility, Edwards AFB in California, has no weather problems with light winds and few clouds.
But the team’s [...]

Shuttle Landing Opportunity

28 March, 2009 (12:18) | NASA | 3 comments

1 PM UPDATE: Discovery just given go for de-orbit burn…
Weather at the Kennedy Space Center prevented the Shuttle from landing during its first opportunity this afternoon. An overcast ceiling was the problem. Winds are borderline.
The final opportunity for bringing Discovery safely home today will be just after 2:30 p.m. CDT. [...]

The Launch of STS-119: Space Shuttle Discovery

15 March, 2009 (19:53) | NASA | 6 comments

It was a very moving experience tonight to experience the launch of the Space Shuttle Discovery from the Kennedy Space Center in Florida from a vantage point 18 miles away in Cocoa Beach. Here are the photos:

Discovery Is Away

15 March, 2009 (17:54) | NASA | No comments

Ten minutes into the mission and everything is good…
Pictures shortly…
Godspeed Discovery…

Shuttle Forecast

15 March, 2009 (08:39) | NASA | 1 comment

Forecasting the weather for Space Shuttle launches and landings is a critical part of the process.
The weather rules for a shuttle launch are very clear and the launch weather officer and her team will call for a no-go if any of them are violated.
Fortunately for us hoping to watch the Shuttle [...]

Climate Study Thwarted

24 February, 2009 (15:16) | Climate, NASA | 10 comments

According to information from a variety of sources, NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO) failed to reach orbit after its launch from Vandenburg Air Force Base in California early this morning. NASA noted in a statement that a protective clamshell covering the satellite on the unmanned Taurus rocket failed to separate. The extra weight [...]

The Big Rain Rodeo (See quiz at the end)

8 August, 2008 (10:14) | Forecast Discussion, General Thoughts, NASA | 43 comments

You may be getting tired of these long rain lists. If so, let me know. However, during these years of deficient rain I feel that there is a heightened interest in knowing how much occurred in your community. These reports are for the 24 hours ending at 7:00 this morning. Of course, almost all of [...]