Coverage of the launch can be seen on Space Coast Daily TV
ABOVE VIDEO:ULA’s Atlas V rocket will deliver another batch of satellites into low Earth orbit for Amazon Leo, the broadband constellation. Amazon Leo’s mission is to provide fast, reliable internet to customers around the world, including those in unserved and underserved communities, using a network of more than 3,000 LEO satellites.
BREVARD COUNTY • CAPE CANAVERAL, FLORIDA – The forecast from the U.S. Space Force’s Space Launch Delta 45 weather squadron for Monday night’s launch of Atlas V indicates a 75 percent chance of acceptable conditions.
“A Carolina Low is expected to develop along the eastern seaboard this weekend. By Monday, a weak back door cold front associated with that low should move into the local area.
Although the timing of that front is uncertain, most shower activity should be inland by the time of the primary launch window,” the weather team says.
“The most likely impact for the primary window will be the Anvil Cloud Rules from storms to the west, the Cumulus Cloud Rule, and Surface Electric Fields Rule.”
The launch time forecast for 8:52 p.m. EDT liftoff time includes a scattered levels of clouds, good visibility, northeasterly winds 12 to 20 knots and a temperature near 73 degrees F.
If the launch moves to the backup opportunity on Tuesday for some reason, there is a 90 percent chance of meeting the weather rules with improved conditions expected, the weather team says.
“By the backup day, onshore flow associated with high pressure to the north should bring generally favorable conditions and the primary concern will be brief periods of flight-through Cumulus Cloud Rule violations.”
The Atlas V rocket, designated AV-112, stands 205 feet (62.5 meters) tall and will launch the Leo 5 payload into near-circular low Earth orbit (LEO) of approximately 280 miles (450 km) and 51.9 degrees inclination.
At liftoff, the rocket generates a combined thrust of 2.7 million pounds (12 megaNewtons) from its main engine and five solid rocket boosters.
