Why Can’t A Rocket Be Launched into Space in Cloudy Weather?

Launching a rocket into space is an attempt that has come true as a result of the long work of scientists. However, human-made calculations may not always be sufficient to send a vehicle into space.

Since nature has its own rules, the account at home does not always fit the market. Therefore, these rules must also be taken into account if it is desired to launch a rocket. So, what exactly do the laws of nature tell us about this issue?

Adverse weather conditions are always an obstacle to launch rockets.

About one-third of space shuttle launches delayed due to bad weather at Cape Canaveral (the spacecraft launch site at Kennedy Space Center, Florida) are due to the threat of lightning strikes. “We certainly can’t launch rockets from within 10 miles into the air within 30 minutes of a stormy weather,” says Travis Longmire, also of the US Air Force 45th air squadron, who also works here.

Since lightning can jump large distances, all the guidance systems of the rocket are disabled as soon as it hits the launched rocket. Thus, a rocket intended to be launched into space can fall into any settlement where people live due to this mishap. Which is the last thing experts want.

A cloudy, rainy and thunderous weather is definitely not suitable for this process. Even strong winds are a big problem. That’s because most rockets are built to launch with winds blowing, usually less than 40 knots (a unit of speed equal to 1 nautical mile per hour). The reason for this is that it has been determined that stronger winds will separate the rocket from its course and toss it from place to place.

Another problem; rocket passing through thick clouds in the air causing lightning strike. The fuel tanks of the spacecraft generate enough energy to attract lightning as the vehicle passes through the clouds. Therefore, if lightning strikes the rocket is not desired, it should definitely not be launched through large clouds.

In addition, a problem due to weather conditions during refueling (transferring fuel from one vehicle to another in the air) may also cause the launch to be delayed. Because the fuel transfer process cannot be completed in adverse weather conditions. The postponement of Artemis may have been due to such a reason or other reasons mentioned above.

So under what conditions can a rocket be launched?

Open air is always suitable for rocket launch. Because the clear weather means that if the launch is canceled in an unexpected situation that may occur shortly after take-off, the return is ensured. In other words, it is necessary to observe the emergency landing conditions while launching a rocket.

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Since the weather will never be predicted one hundred percent, NASA officials have found a solution for this themselves. The solution is that if any danger arises for the launch process, the weatherman gives them an instant report. Thus, they can postpone the mission according to this report on days when it is unclear whether the weather will be open or closed.

Sources: Live Science, The Guardian, Space