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Mission Briefing




Mission preview - Our in-depth story previewing this launch of the first Delta 4-Heavy.

Launch timeline - Chart with times and descriptions of events to occur during the launch.

Launch Hazard Area - Map showing the restricted area around Cape Canaveral during launch.

Delta 4-Heavy - Overview of this heavy-lift rocket in the Delta 4 family.

DemoSat - Description of the satellite simulator and two nanosats being flown on this launch.

Pre-launch flow - Illustration of the rocket checkout and assembly at Cape facilities.

D4-H archive - Collection of past stories and pictures of the Delta 4-Heavy.

Delta directory - See our coverage of previous Delta rocket flights.



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Launch weather forecast
Posted: December 7, 2004

 Forecast for Friday, December 10

Issued: Tuesday, December 7
Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron

Synoptic Discussion: "Surface high pressure ridge over Central Florida is gradually moving southeast as a deepening trough advances from the west. Surface winds will increase and become southwesterly on launch day with the approaching cold front, causing a greater concern for ground winds. The cold front will also bring increasing clouds and a chance of showers on Friday evening through Saturday.

"Main concerns on launch day will be violation of ground wind, cumulus cloud, and flight through precipitation rules."

Clouds: Scattered at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 5,000 feet; Scattered at 10,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 12,000 feet; Broken at 25,000 feet with 5/8ths sky coverage and tops at 27,000 feet

Visibility: 10 miles

Launch Pad Winds: Southwesterly from 220 degrees at 12 gusting to 17 knots

Temperature: 75 to 77 degrees F

Relative Humidity: 70 percent

Weather: Mostly cloudy, isolated showers

Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 40 percent

Concerns: Ground wind, flight through precipitation and cumulous cloud rules
 

 Times of note

Friday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Friday's sunset: 5:27 p.m. EST (2227 GMT)
Saturday's launch window: 2:31 to 5:27 p.m. EST (1931-2227 GMT)
Sunday's launch window: 2:32 to 5:28 p.m. EST (1932-2228 GMT)
 

 24- and 48-hour Delay Forecasts

Saturday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 40 percent
Concerns: Ground wind, flight through precipitation and thick cloud rules

Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Ground winds and thick cloud rules
 

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