Applications of Satellite Meteorology in Support of Space Shuttle.
Abstract
The United States Air Force (USAF) Air Weather Service's Detachment 11 of the 2nd Weather Squadron is tasked to provide meteorological and environmental support to the USAF Eastern Space and Missile Center (ESMC), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA) Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and the Department of Defense (DOD) Manager for Space Shuttle Support Operations. They provide weather support to the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB), KSC, and the entire Eastern Test Range (ETR); primarily through the Cape Canaveral Forecast Facility (CCFF). The CCFF is a 24-hour-a-day forecasting and observing operation. As part of its normal support, it provides specialized forecasts for all missile and space launches from the ETR/KSC and weather services for recovery forces. By far, the launch, landing, and ground operations of the Space Shuttle require the most precise weather support. Most aspects of Space Shuttle operations are sensitive to one or more meteorological parameters. As the Shuttle proved itself in its early missions and became operational with a significant increase in the number of scheduled missions , it was evident that weather and weather support would become critical elements in achieving and maintaining the higher launch rate. Through the efforts of the MSMP, and joint funding by the Air Force and NASA, several improvements in meteorological systems were accomplished, allowing better utilization of satellite data. The key improvement was the Meteorological Interactive Data Display System (MIDDS).
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Dec 01, 1985
- Accession Number
- ADA166227
Entities
People
- B. B. Boyd
- C. S. Funk
- T. H. Myers