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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 9, 2004

 Forecast for Friday, December 10

Issued: Thursday, December 9
Launch Weather Officer: Kathy Winters, 45th Weather Squadron

Synoptic Discussion: "A cold front will move through Central Florida on Friday bringing showers and isolated thunderstorms into the area and colder temperatures for the weekend. Surface winds will increase and become southwesterly on launch day, causing a concern for ground winds for both launch and the vehicle exposure wind constraints. The front will clear the area by Saturday, but strong winds will persist behind the front throughout the day.

"Several weather launch commit criteria could be violated on Friday. The main weather concerns on launch day will be violation of ground wind, flight through precipitation, and cumulus cloud rules."

Clouds: Scattered at 3,000 feet with 3/8ths sky coverage and tops at 5,000 feet; Broken at 10,000 feet with 5/8ths sky coverage and tops at 14,000 feet; Broken at 25,000 feet with 7/8ths sky coverage and tops at 27,000 feet

Visibility: 10 miles

Launch Pad Winds: Southwesterly from 220 degrees at 20 gusting to 25 knots

Temperature: 74 to 75 degrees F

Relative Humidity: 70 percent

Weather: Mostly cloudy, isolated showers

Probability of Violating Weather Constraints: 70 percent

Concerns: Ground wind, flight through precipitation, cumulus cloud, anvil, lightning and field mill 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: 60 percent
Concerns: Ground wind and thick cloud rules

Sunday's Probability of Violating Constraints: 20 percent
Concerns: Ground wind
 

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