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Report of the PRESIDENTIAL COMMISSION on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident

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Volume 4 Index

 

Hearings of the Presidential Commission on the Space Shuttle Challenger Accident: February 6, 1986 to February 25, 1986

 

FEBRUARY 13, 1986 SESSION. [Part 1 of 2]

 

[449] [Ref.2/13-5] STS 51-L WEATHER SUMMARY.

 

• L-1 MMT AT 11 AM EST 1/25
  • MAJOR FEATURE WAS APPROACHING COLD FRONT
  • FORECAST MULTI-LAYER CLOUD DECKS, RAIN SHOWERS (NO GO)
  • TEMPERATURE FORECAST - MID 60's
  • RAINFALL SINCE ROLLOUT TO PAD - APPROXIMATELY 7 INCHES vs 2.5 NORMAL
  • QUESTIONABLE WEATHER-RECONVENE AT 9:30 PM EST TO STATUS COLD FRONT PROGRESS
• 9:30 PM MMT ON 1/25 FOR 1/26 LAUNCH
  • COLD FRONT HAD PROGRESSED THROUGH MOBILE (30 KTS MOVEMENT)
  • FORECAST UNCHANGED
  • DECISION TO SCRUB
• 2:00 PM EST MMT ON 1/26 FOR 1/27 LAUNCH
  • COLD FRONT HAD MOVED INTO AREA, WEATHER HAD NOT DETEORIATED AS QUICKLY AS PROJECTED
  • FORECAST CLEARING BEHIND FRONTAL PASSAGE
  • CONCERN ON SURFACE WINDS AND UPPER AIR WINDS
  • AT NOMINAL T-O SURFACE WINDS AND UPPER WINDS ACCEPTABLE
  • 12:37 PM EST - SCRUB DUE TO EXCESSIVE RTLS CROSSWINDS (15 KTS)
• 2:00 PM EST MMT ON 1/27 FOR 1/28 LAUNCH
  • FORECASTED CONTINUED CLEARING DECREASING NORTHWESTERLY WINDS
  • TEMPERATURE EXPECTED TO BE BELOW FREEZING (INTO LOW 20's) FOR APPROXIMATELY 11 HOURS
  • CONCERN EXPRESSED ON ICE, CAPABILITY OF FACILITY
  • TEMPERATURE AT BEGINNING OF WINDOW (0938) EXPECTED NEAR 30°F (ACTUAL 0900 - 29°F, 1000 - 32°F)

 

 

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