Climatological Study of the Short-Term Variation of the 0 C, -10 C, AND -20 C Altitude Levels Over the Florida SpaceportFor evaluation of the potential of cloud electrification, it is necessary to know the altitude of the 0, -10 and -20 degree Celsius levels. Cape Canaveral Air Force Station has recorded balloon launch data back to 1989. In support of rocket launches, often multiple balloons are launched within minutes of each other in the 4-6 hours leading up to launch. In the past, temperature data from sondes was typically available every hour or so through the launch countdown, allowing for frequent updates of these critical temperature thresholds. Recently, launch customers are relying on jimsphere and wind profiler data that do not have a thermodynamic component in the latter 4-6 hours of a countdown. This study compares the altitude differences of the 0, -10 and -20 degree Celsius levels from GPS-tracked consecutive balloon pairs not to exceed 6 hours apart. The analysis uses 3,198 soundings from 2001 to 2013. Approximately 20, 17, and 13 percent of the time the altitude of the temperature level in question (0, -10, -20 degrees C respectively), varies by more than 500 feet (operationally significant threshold) within 6 hours. This study analyzes the altitude variability as a function of several meteorological parameters, such as dew point depression and solar zenith angle. Additionally, the study concludes with impacts to launch operations.
Document ID
20170000477
Acquisition Source
Kennedy Space Center
Document Type
Presentation
Authors
Huddleston, Lisa (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Maier, Launa (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Smith, Kristin (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL United States)
Roeder, William P. (Weather Squadron (45th) Patrick AFB, FL, United States)
McAleenan, Mike (Weather Squadron (45th) Patrick AFB, FL, United States)
Winters, Katherine A. (Weather Squadron (45th) Patrick AFB, FL, United States)
Godoy, Laura M. (Weather Squadron (45th) Patrick AFB, FL, United States)
Hinkley, Jeremy (NASA Kennedy Space Center Cocoa Beach, FL, United States)
Date Acquired
January 18, 2017
Publication Date
January 22, 2017
Subject Category
Meteorology And ClimatologyLaunch Vehicles And Launch Operations
Report/Patent Number
KSC-E-DAA-TN38298
Meeting Information
Meeting: American Meteorological Society Annual Meeting
Location: Seattle, WA
Country: United States
Start Date: January 22, 2017
End Date: January 26, 2017
Sponsors: American Meteorological Society
Funding Number(s)
CONTRACT_GRANT: NNK13MA14C
Distribution Limits
Public
Copyright
Public Use Permitted.
Keywords
altitude of 0 degree C temperature levelaltitude of -20 degree C temperature levelaltitude of -10 degree C temperature levelballoon pairsclimatology
IDRelationTitle20180003178See AlsoClimatological Study of the Short-Term Variation of the 0 C, -10 C, and -20 C Altitude Levels over the Florida Spaceport