The weather guidelines for NASA’s Artemis II flight test identify conditions to safely roll out to the pad and launch the agency’s Space Launch System and Orion spacecraft.
These guidelines include criteria for various meteorological conditions. Weather teams refer to these criteria while monitoring the elements and implement constraints when conditions could affect rollout or liftoff. The criteria are broadly conservative and developed to avoid possible adverse outcomes.
If other potential weather hazards exist beyond those in the guidelines, the launch weather team will report the hazardous condition to the launch director, who will determine whether launching would expose Artemis II to a weather hazard.
Basic Weather Criteria for Roll to the Pad
Do not roll to launch pad if the lightning forecast is greater than 10% within 20 nautical miles of the launch area during rollout.
Do not roll to launch pad if there is greater than a 5% chance of hail forecast in the launch area during rollout.
Do not roll to launch pad if sustained wind is forecast to be greater than 40 knots or peak wind greater than 45 knots.
Do not roll to launch pad if temperature is less than 40 degrees Fahrenheit or exceeds 95 degrees Fahrenheit at the launch area during rollout.
Basic Weather Launch Criteria at the Pad for Liftoff
Temperature
Do not initiate tanking if the 24-hour average temperature at both 13 …