Summary of the launch weather criteria for Atlas V/Mars Science Laboratory.

1. Summary of Launch Weather Criteria
for Atlas V/Mars Science Laboratory
Do not launch if the Do not launch if
wind at the launch pad field mill instrument
exceeds 33 knots. readings within five
nautical miles of the
launch pad or the flight
Do not launch if the path exceed +/- 1,500
ceiling is less than volts per meter for
6,000 feet or the 15 minutes after they
occur, or +/- 1,000 volts
visability is less than
per meter if specified
4 nautical miles. criteria can be met.
Do not launch through Do not launch if an
upper-level conditions attached thunderstorm
anvil is within 10, 5,
containing wind shear
or 3 nautical miles of
that could lead to the flight path, unless
control problems for the time-associated criteria
launch vehicle. specified for these
three distances can be
met.
Do not launch through
or within five nautical Do not launch if a
miles of a cloud layer detached thunderstorm
greater than 4,500 feet anvil is within
thick that extends into 10 nautical miles or
if within 3 nautical
freezing temperatures,
miles or fly through
unless other specified a detached anvil
criteria have been met. The Mars Science Laboratory inside the fairing that is being installed unless specific time-
around it.
associated criteria
Do not launch through have been met.
or within five to 10 miles of cumulus clouds with
Do not launch if a thunderstorm debris cloud
tops that extend into freezing temperatures is within 3 nautical miles or fly through a debris
unless specified conditions and distances can be cloud for three hours unless specific criteria have
met. been met.
Do not launch through disturbed weather that
Do not launch within 10 nautical miles of the
has clouds that extend into freezing temperatures
edge of a thunderstorm that is producing lightning and contain moderate or greater precipitation,
for 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed. or launch within five nautical miles of disturbed
weather within the flight path unless specified
Do not launch for 30 minutes after lightning is criteria can be met.
observed within 10 nautical miles of the launch Do not launch through cumulus clouds formed
pad or the flight path unless specified conditions as the result of or directly attached to a smoke
can be met. plume unless specified criteria are met.