Spaceflight Now: STS-92 Mission Report

STS-92 Landing Weather Forecast
COMPILED BY WILLIAM HARWOOD
Updated: 06:30 a.m., October 24, 2000

Latest NASA landing weather forecast

Source: Spaceflight Meteorology Group, Johnson Space Center

ISSUED: October 24, 03:00 p.m.
VALID: October 24, 1:52 p.m.


Synopsis:
A surface high pressure ridge extending along the Atlantic coast from New York to Florida will cause northeast surface winds at KSC with peaks approaching 25 knots at landing time on Tuesday afternoon. Conditions at Edwards Air Force Base, Calif., are acceptable.

 Forecast for Tuesday, October 24


Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Winds: From 50 degrees at 15 knots with gusts to 25 knots
Clouds: 4K scattered, 25K scattered (chance of 4K broken)
Rain: Chance of rain within 30 nautical miles
Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: Crosswinds, low ceiling, possible rain showers

Edwards Air Force Base, California
Winds: From 230 degrees at 7 knots with gusts to 12 knots
Clouds: 6K scattered, 25K scattered
Rain: None expected

Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: None

Northrup Strip/White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico
Winds: From 210 degrees at 5 knots with gusts to 10 knots
Clouds:
4K broken, 10K broken, 25K overcast
Rain: Showers within 30 nautical miles
Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: Low ceiling, rain


 Forecast for Wednesday, October 25


Kennedy Space Center, Florida

Winds: From 50 degrees at 12 knots with gusts to 20 knots
Clouds: 4K broken, 10K broken, 25K broken
Rain: Chance of rain within 30 nautical miles
Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: Crosswinds, low ceiling, possible rain showers

Edwards Air Force Base, California
Winds: From 150 degrees at 5 knots
Clouds: 6K few, 25K broken
Rain: None expected

Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: None

Northrup Strip/White Sands Space Harbor, New Mexico
Winds: From 340 degrees at 5 knots
Clouds:
4K few , 25K scattered
Rain: None expected
Visibility: 7 miles
CONCERNS: None

End-of-Mission Landing Flight Rules

  • Cloud coverage of 4/8 or less below 8,000 feet and a visibility of 5 miles or greater required.

  • The peak cross wind cannot exceed 15 knots, 12 knots at night. If the mission duration is greater than 18 days the limit is 12 knots, day and night.

  • Headwind cannot exceed 25 knots.

  • Tailwind cannot exceed 10 knots average, 15 knots peak.

  • No thunderstorm, lightning, or precipitation activity is within 30 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility.

  • Detached opaque thunderstorm anvils less than three hours old must not be within 20 nautical miles of the Shuttle Landing Facility, or within 10 nautical miles of the flight path when the orbiter is within 30 nautical miles of the runway.

  • Turbulence must be less than or equal to moderate intensity.

  • Consideration may be given for landing with a "no go" observation and a "go" forecast if at decision time analysis clearly indicates a continuing trend of improving weather conditions, and the forecast states that all weather will be met at landing time.

    Shuttle Launch and Landing Weather Links

  • Spaceflight Meteorology Group at JSC
  • SMG Shuttle Launch/Landing Forecasts
  • GOES CONUS Infrared Image
  • GOES CONUS Visible Image
  • Current KSC Weather
  • Weather-related Launch Commit Criteria
  • Florida Local Forecasts
  • National Hurricane Center Advisories, Forecasts and Position Updates