C
clinn
Guest
With all the shuttle launch delays due to thunderstorms, I am wondering - is there some special reason beyond space tourism that NASA schedules many launches in the evening? It seems that in an area such as Florida in the summer this is the WORST time from a thunderstorm POV, as this is a typically late afternoon / early evening occurrence. Furthermore, I would think that the light would be better from a safety / imaging standpoint as well. For the past several years, 9 out of 12 launches have been between 2 pm and 9 pm, with only 3 outside this window. I am guessing that the probability of thunderstorms almost centers around this same window, e.g. around 5 pm.
Why don't launches happen in the late morning? I am not a Florida resident, but this seems to be a period of less convective activity, etc.
Why don't launches happen in the late morning? I am not a Florida resident, but this seems to be a period of less convective activity, etc.