[Launch Alert] Launch Weather Forecast

[Launch Alert]

The following are portions of a media update from the United Launch Alliance (the Atlas V rocket manufacturer and launch service provider) regarding Saturday's planned Atlas V / Mars InSight launch from Vandenberg AFB.

The launch weather forecast for Saturday and Sunday does not look very encouraging (only a 20% probability of acceptable weather).


"Subject: L-3 Media Update: ULA Atlas V InSight Launch Set for May 5
Date: May 2, 2018 8:16 PM

Good evening - everything is progressing toward the ULA Atlas V InSight mission for NASA. The mission is set to lift off on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday, May 5 from Space Launch Complex-3 at Vandenberg Air Force Base in California. Today’s L-3 forecast shows a 20 percent chance of favorable weather conditions for launch. 

The two-hour launch window begins at 4:05 a.m. PT ...


Launch Forecast Summary:

Overall probability of violating weather constraints: 80%

Primary concerns: Launch Visibility


Overall probability of violating weather constraints for 24 hour delay: 80%

Primary concern: Launch Visibility ..."