Wind and Rain Threaten NASA's PACE Spacecraft Launch

 Wind and rain expected at Cape Canaveral, launch destination for NASA's PACE spacecraft

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – Preparations for launch of NASA’s Plankton, Aerosols, Clouds, and Ocean Ecosystems (PACE) mission are underway, scheduled for February 16, 2024, from Canaveral Cape Space Force station launch. The PACE spacecraft will carry a suite of instruments to measure global ocean and atmospheric properties, including ocean color, aerosols, clouds and sea surface height.

weather

Weather forecast for the launch window is favorable, with a 70% chance of good conditions. However, there is a slight risk of showers and thunderstorms in the area. The National Weather Service (NWS) has issued a hazardous weather outlook for Cape Canaveral, Florida for the following dates:

Sunday, February 12, 2024

Monday, February 13, 2024

Tuesday, February 14, 2024

The NWS predicts a 30% chance of showers and thunderstorms on Sunday, rising to 40% on Monday and Tuesday. The main threats from these storms are heavy rain, frequent lightning, and gusty winds.

launch preparation

NASA and its launch partners are working hard to ensure the PACE spacecraft is ready for launch. The spacecraft is currently docking with its launch vehicle, a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket. The launch team also conducted a series of tests and exercises to verify the operational readiness of the spacecraft and launch system.

Start window

The launch window for the PACE mission opens at 6:00 p.m. 16 February 2024 until 8:00 PM ET ending European Summer Time. The launch team will closely monitor weather conditions and make launch decisions based on the latest weather forecast.

live: 

NASA will livestream the PACE launch on its website and social media channels. The live broadcast begins at 5:00 p.m. ET on February 16, 2024.

About the PACE Mission

The PACE mission is a joint effort between NASA and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The mission will provide scientists with new data sets for studying Earth's oceans and atmosphere. Data collected by the PACE spacecraft will be used to improve our understanding of climate change, air quality and ocean health.

For more information

NASA PACE mission website:https://pace.gsfc.nasa.gov/