CAPE CANAVERAL, Florida -- The Atlas V 401 rocket with its secretive National Reconnaissance Office (NROL-38) payload is still on track to launch during a window of 8:28 a.m. to 9:27 a.m. from Space Launch Complex 41 at the Cape Canaveral Air Force station in Florida.
The mission is the second of
four planned launches by United Launch Alliance for the National
Reconnaissance Office.
According to the latest NROL launch weather prediction issued by the
U.S. Air Force 45th Weather Squadron at Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station, there was a 70% chance of favorable weather for Wednesday's launch.
The 45th Weather Squadron issued the following atmospheric and space weather report for June 19, 2012:
The high pressure area to the Northeast
with a broad area of low pressure to the South continues to cause
easterly winds over the next few days with a coastal shower threat each
morning with a decreasing threat each afternoon. Winds strengthen today
and persist through Wednesday, causing a concern for lift off winds.
Also, significant sunspot activity
continues to pose a threat for Earth-directed M- and X-class flares, and
the Air Force Space Weather Operation Center is forecasting a 25%
chance of an M-class flare and a 5% chance of an X-class flare. An
X-class flare or strong M-class flare could cause a proton flux
concern. Our primary concerns for launch are a cumulus cloud rule
violation, elevated proton flux associated with a solar flare, and lift
off wind.
On Thursday and Friday, the broad area
of low pressure to the South and associated trough lifts North bringing
an in-flux of moisture over Central Florida with an increased threat of
coastal showers. Cumulus clouds become more of a concern on Thursday and
Friday with the significant increase in moisture and on-shore flow.
Image Credit: ULA
Image Credit: ULA
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