45th Weather Squadron
Encyclopedia
45th Weather Squadron 45th Operations Group (45 OG), 45th Space Wing
, at Patrick Air Force Base
, Florida
performs weather assessments for air and space operations; specifically, weather observations, forecasts, advisories and warnings. It specializes in the weather assessments for the Space Shuttle
launches at Kennedy Space Center
(KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
.
The 45 WS provides comprehensive weather data and specialized services for USAF and NASA personnel and flight safety, resource protection (i.e. ground building and equipment), pre-launch ground processing, day-of-launch for Shuttle and other rockets, post-launch, aviation and special operations. These services are provided for more than 30 to 40 space launch countdowns per year for the Department of Defense
(DOD), NASA, USAF, and commercial launch customers.
became the 45th Weather Squadron under the 45th Operations Group when the 45th Space Wing was activated in November 1991. Under either designation, the unit monitored the collection and analysis of all weather data pertinent to Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral AFS, and Kennedy Space Center operations. The weathermen provided briefings and forecasts, updated planning and program documents and evaluated new weather instrumentation for possible use on the Eastern Range. In December 2005, 45 WS had 7 officers, 18 enlisted people and 9 civilians.
's Lightning Launch Commit Criteria for Shuttle countdown procedures. For Shuttle landing criteria and site selection determination, the Shuttle’s in-flight weather support, including landing forecasts, is provided by the National Weather Service’s Spaceflight Meteorology Group
at Johnson Space Center, Texas, in joint with the 45th Weather Squadron. The 45th’s area of operation encompasses over 15000000 square miles (38,849,821.7 km²) of air, land and sea that make up NASA's and the USAF's east coast flight range. The 45 SW provides data and decision criteria when a Shuttle has to be ferried back to KSC from Edwards Air Force Base
, California. This is were the Orbiter is mated on top of a modified Boeing 747
, known as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
for the return flight to KSC. Edwards AFB' desert landing runway is the primary backup site for returning Orbiters when the weather is severe at KSC.
and will be using KSC's Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network. The LDAR data collection will permit the study of intracloud and cloud-to-ground discharges within isolated thunderstorms over the KSC.
45th Space Wing
The 45th Space Wing is a United States Air Force unit. It is assigned to the Fourteenth Air Force, stationed at Patrick Air Force Base, Florida. It is also the host unit at Patrick AFB.-Overview:...
, at Patrick Air Force Base
Patrick Air Force Base
Patrick Air Force Base is a United States Air Force Base located between Satellite Beach and Cocoa Beach, in Brevard County, Florida, United States. It was named in honor of Major General Mason Patrick. An Air Force Space Command base, it is home to the 45th Space Wing...
, Florida
Florida
Florida is a state in the southeastern United States, located on the nation's Atlantic and Gulf coasts. It is bordered to the west by the Gulf of Mexico, to the north by Alabama and Georgia and to the east by the Atlantic Ocean. With a population of 18,801,310 as measured by the 2010 census, it...
performs weather assessments for air and space operations; specifically, weather observations, forecasts, advisories and warnings. It specializes in the weather assessments for the Space Shuttle
Space Shuttle
The Space Shuttle was a manned orbital rocket and spacecraft system operated by NASA on 135 missions from 1981 to 2011. The system combined rocket launch, orbital spacecraft, and re-entry spaceplane with modular add-ons...
launches at Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is the NASA installation that has been the launch site for every United States human space flight since 1968. Although such flights are currently on hiatus, KSC continues to manage and operate unmanned rocket launch facilities for America's civilian space program...
(KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station
Cape Canaveral Air Force Station is an installation of the United States Air Force Space Command's 45th Space Wing, headquartered at nearby Patrick Air Force Base. Located on Cape Canaveral in the state of Florida, CCAFS is the primary launch head of America's Eastern Range with four launch pads...
.
The 45 WS provides comprehensive weather data and specialized services for USAF and NASA personnel and flight safety, resource protection (i.e. ground building and equipment), pre-launch ground processing, day-of-launch for Shuttle and other rockets, post-launch, aviation and special operations. These services are provided for more than 30 to 40 space launch countdowns per year for the Department of Defense
United States Department of Defense
The United States Department of Defense is the U.S...
(DOD), NASA, USAF, and commercial launch customers.
History
Detachment 11 of the 2nd Weather Squadron2nd Weather Squadron
The 2nd Weather Squadron , based out of Offutt Air Force Base, NE, continuously supports Joint warfighters and DoD decision-makers, including the intelligence community and space operators with accurate, relevant, timely and specialized global terrestrial and space observations, analyses, forecasts...
became the 45th Weather Squadron under the 45th Operations Group when the 45th Space Wing was activated in November 1991. Under either designation, the unit monitored the collection and analysis of all weather data pertinent to Patrick AFB, Cape Canaveral AFS, and Kennedy Space Center operations. The weathermen provided briefings and forecasts, updated planning and program documents and evaluated new weather instrumentation for possible use on the Eastern Range. In December 2005, 45 WS had 7 officers, 18 enlisted people and 9 civilians.
Shuttle support
45 WS provides weather data to NASANASA
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration is the agency of the United States government that is responsible for the nation's civilian space program and for aeronautics and aerospace research...
's Lightning Launch Commit Criteria for Shuttle countdown procedures. For Shuttle landing criteria and site selection determination, the Shuttle’s in-flight weather support, including landing forecasts, is provided by the National Weather Service’s Spaceflight Meteorology Group
Spaceflight Meteorology Group
The Spaceflight Meteorology Group is a U.S. weather forecasting unit staffed by the National Weather Service for the National Aeronautics and Space Administration which provides pertinent information on the current and expected state of the atmosphere during human spaceflight operations. It is...
at Johnson Space Center, Texas, in joint with the 45th Weather Squadron. The 45th’s area of operation encompasses over 15000000 square miles (38,849,821.7 km²) of air, land and sea that make up NASA's and the USAF's east coast flight range. The 45 SW provides data and decision criteria when a Shuttle has to be ferried back to KSC from Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base
Edwards Air Force Base is a United States Air Force base located on the border of Kern County, Los Angeles County, and San Bernardino County, California, in the Antelope Valley. It is southwest of the central business district of North Edwards, California and due east of Rosamond.It is named in...
, California. This is were the Orbiter is mated on top of a modified Boeing 747
Boeing 747
The Boeing 747 is a wide-body commercial airliner and cargo transport, often referred to by its original nickname, Jumbo Jet, or Queen of the Skies. It is among the world's most recognizable aircraft, and was the first wide-body ever produced...
, known as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
Shuttle Carrier Aircraft
The Shuttle Carrier Aircraft are two extensively modified Boeing 747 airliners that NASA uses to transport Space Shuttle orbiters...
for the return flight to KSC. Edwards AFB' desert landing runway is the primary backup site for returning Orbiters when the weather is severe at KSC.
Lightning research
Lightning at Kennedy Space Center is a major hazard for space flight. 45WS hopes to implement plan with a specific guideline for determining how long a lightning warning should be maintained after a particular discharge is observed prior to any space launches. The plan will include a joint research project with Florida State UniversityFlorida State University
The Florida State University is a space-grant and sea-grant public university located in Tallahassee, Florida, United States. It is a comprehensive doctoral research university with medical programs and significant research activity as determined by the Carnegie Foundation...
and will be using KSC's Lightning Detection and Ranging (LDAR) network. The LDAR data collection will permit the study of intracloud and cloud-to-ground discharges within isolated thunderstorms over the KSC.
- Further reading: NASA
Awards
- Outstanding Specialized Weather Unit - Moorman Award - 1999
- Outstanding Specialized Weather Support Unit - 2008
See also
External links
- Air Force Weather Agency
- USAF
- Patrick AFB Home Page
- Weather forecasts for NASA, Air Force and commercial programs at the Kennedy Space Center, each are updated leading up scheduled launches only.