Download or read book A History of the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria and the Lightning Advisory Panel for America s Space Program written by National Aeronautics and Administration and published by . This book was released on 2014-09-21 with total page 252 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Since natural and artificially-initiated (or 'triggered') lightning are demonstrated hazards to the launch of space vehicles, the American space program has responded by establishing a set of Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (LLCC) and Definitions to mitigate the risk. The LLCC apply to all Federal Government ranges and have been adopted by the Federal Aviation Administration for application at state-operated and private spaceports. The LLCC and their associated definitions have been developed, reviewed, and approved over the years of the American space program starting from relatively simple rules in the mid-twentieth century (that were not adequate) to a complex suite for launch operations in the early 21st century. During this evolutionary process, a "Lightning Advisory Panel (LAP)" of top American scientists in the field of atmospheric electricity was established to guide it. This history document provides a context for and explanation of the evolution of the LLCC and the LAP. A companion document on the rationale is currently being prepared by the LAP to provide the physical, mathematical, and operational justification for the current LLCC. Lightning that takes place naturally in thunderstorms was recognized as a threat to spaceflight early in the space age, and the early launch rules prohibited flight through thunderstorms. What had not been recognized until Apollo XII was launched in 1969 was that an ascending rocket could "trigger" lightning if it flew into highly electrified clouds, even in the absence of natural lightning. Apollo XII was struck twice by triggered lightning, and as a result, additional rules were added to forbid flying within 5 NM of thunderstorms or through certain non-thunderstorm clouds that experience showed had the potential of being electrified. During the time between Apollo XII and the beginning of the Space Shuttle Program, several important research programs were carried out to learn more about lightning and cloud electricity in Florida, and additional instrumentation was installed at the KSC and Eastern Range (ER). The LLCC were modified for the Skylab program in 1973 and again for the Apollo-Soyuz Test Project in 1975. Expendable launch vehicles (ELV) had their own separate but similar rules. In 1979 the nascent Shuttle program adopted a set of LLCC that included constraints and waivers that were based on surface electric field mill measurements. The ELV rules did not adopt the field mill criteria. In 1987, triggered lightning caused the loss of Atlas/Centaur 67 (AC 67) and its Fleetsatcom payload. A major cause of this accident was the failure of the ELV rules to include a field mill criterion. The Shuttle rules would have prohibited the launch of AC 67. In the aftermath of several investigations and a Congressional Hearing, a lightning "Peer Review Committee," a predecessor of the LAP, was established to guide NASA and the Air Force in the drafting of LLCC and the conduct of associated research. Several major research projects were undertaken, including the first "Airborne Field Mill Program" (ABFM I, 1990-1992) in which direct measurements of electric fields in Florida clouds were made from a specially instrumented aircraft. ABFM I resulted in several improvements to the LLCC, and the lessons learned ultimately led to an even more successful ABFM II campaign a decade later. As new knowledge and additional operational experience has been gained, the LLCC have been updated to preserve or increase their safety and increase launch availability. All launches of ELV and manned vehicles now use the same rules, which simplifies their understanding and application and minimizes the cost of the weather infrastructure to support them. In the future, the processes and procedures that have evolved can be used to facilitate further improvements in both launch availability and safety as new research findings become available.

Download or read book A history of the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria and the Lightning Advisory Panel for America s space program written by and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 234 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Lightning and the space program written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Handbook of Aerospace Electromagnetic Compatibility written by Dr. Reinaldo J. Perez and published by John Wiley & Sons. This book was released on 2018-11-30 with total page 768 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: A comprehensive resource that explores electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) for aerospace systems Handbook of Aerospace Electromagnetic Compatibility is a groundbreaking book on EMC for aerospace systems that addresses both aircraft and space vehicles. With contributions from an international panel of aerospace EMC experts, this important text deals with the testing of spacecraft components and subsystems, analysis of crosstalk and field coupling, aircraft communication systems, and much more. The text also includes information on lightning effects and testing, as well as guidance on design principles and techniques for lightning protection. The book offers an introduction to E3 models and techniques in aerospace systems and explores EMP effects on and technology for aerospace systems. Filled with the most up-to-date information, illustrative examples, descriptive figures, and helpful scenarios, Handbook of Aerospace Electromagnetic Compatibility is designed to be a practical information source. This vital guide to electromagnetic compatibility: • Provides information on a range of topics including grounding, coupling, test procedures, standards, and requirements • Offers discussions on standards for aerospace applications • Addresses aerospace EMC through the use of testing and theoretical approaches Written for EMC engineers and practitioners, Handbook of Aerospace Electromagnetic Compatibility is a critical text for understanding EMC for aerospace systems.

Download or read book Lightning Launch Commit Criteria written by and published by . This book was released on 1996 with total page 85 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: The Airborne Field Mill Project was jointly undertaken by the USAF and NASA during the winters of 1990, 1991, and 1992, and the summer of 1991 in order to gather in situ airborne field mill (ABFM) data to revise the USAF and NASA lightning Launch Commit Criteria (LCC) for manned and unmanned space launches. The Marshall Space Flight Center recommended changes to the lightning LCC based on their analysis of the ABFM data obtained under the Airborne Field Mill Project. A committee known as the Peer Review Committee (PRC) was formed 'To draft and finalize a subset of the Natural and Triggered Lightning Launch Commit Criteria' based on ABFM Program data.' This report documents the LCC recommended by the PRC in March 1994 and presented to the Chief Engineers Council of the USAF Space Materiel Command for their concurrence in August 1994.

Download or read book Lightning Launch Commit Criteria at the Eastern Range Kennedy Space Center written by W. P. Roeder and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Natural and Triggered Lightning Launch Commit Criteria LCC written by and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 0 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This document has been prepared to document the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria recommended by the Lightning Advisory Panel (LAP) in May 1998. The LAP is a joint AF/NASA panel that provides an independent scientific assessment of, advice on, and recommended changes to the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria, lightning-related issues in the Flight Rules, and Lightning Advisories/Warnings for ground operations.

Download or read book Rationales for the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria written by J. C. Willett and published by . This book was released on 2016 with total page 265 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Determining the Characteristics of Anvil and Thunderstorm Lightning for Use in the Lightning Launch Control Criteria at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy Space Center written by Zachary Tamurian and published by . This book was released on 2012 with total page pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: ABSTRACT: The 45th Weather Squadron (45WS) provides weather support to America's space program at Florida's Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (CCAFS), Kennedy Space Center (KSC), and Patrick Air Force Base (PAFB). Since CCAFS/KSC lies within Florida's "Lightning Alley", summer thunderstorms and associated hazards are a special concern for space launches and all other outdoor activities at CCAFS/KSC. Therefore, the 45WS has developed the Lightning Launch Commit Criteria (LLCC) to help minimize hazards from lightning (both naturally occurring and triggered) and vehicle electrification during the ascent phase of launch. This study has documented the spatial distributions and time evolution of total lightning and radar reflectivity in and around thunderstorms, attached anvil clouds, and detached anvil clouds near CCAFS/KSC on 30 active lightning days between 2008-11. Our goal was to determine if some of the current LLCC thresholds are too restrictive and represent missed launch opportunities, or not restrictive enough and represent a safety risk. CG flashes originating inside the convective core or its anvil can strike the ground away from the cloud edge. Since these side flashes often strike the ground under clear skies, they commonly are referred to as "bolts from the blue". Our results indicate that the vast majority of CG flashes (~94%) strike the ground = 5 n mi from cloud edge (0 dBZ) whereas 73% of CG flashes are = 3 n mi outside 0 dBZ. Three positive bolts from the blue were documented, and all came from the same storm on 29 May 2009. One of the positive flashes propagated 8.91 n mi from cloud edge. Anvil initiated lightning can distribute charge after detachment, but only for a short period. We analyzed 100 anvils within 100 km of KSC; 895 IC flashes in the anvil were initiated in the core of the storms. The first core initiated flash of each anvil typically propagated = 10 n mi. Cellular thunderstorms produce the greatest percentage of total lightning (~84%) in our dataset, but average flash distances from the core are greatest in attached anvils (~4.98 n mi). To our knowledge this is the first study to quantify the distances that lightning can extend beyond the edge of clouds. We believe the results of this research should be considered before making additional changes to the LLCC.

Download or read book Climate Analysis of Lightning Launch Commit Criteria for Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station written by Eric C. Muller and published by . This book was released on 2010 with total page 111 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: We have conducted climate analyses of natural lightning activity at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station (KSC/CCAFS). These analyses were conducted to improve forecasts of lightning related hazards for, and the planning of, space vehicle launches at KSC/CCAFS. If a space vehicle is hit by lightning during launch, the vehicle and payload may sustain irreparable damage. Lightning-based rules for conducting launch and vehicle preparation activities have been developed by launch managers at KSC/CCAFS. In this research, we investigated one aspect of these--the natural lightning launch commit criteria. Our goal was to improve the scientific basis for skillful forecasting of the probability of lightning hazards. Such forecasts have the potential to reduce lightning related risks to personnel and equipment, and to save millions of dollars in preparation and launch costs. Using cloud-to-ground lightning strike data from the National Lightning Detection Network during January 1989 through December 2008, we identified events in which the KSC/CCAFS natural lightning criteria for launches were violated--that is, when excessive lightning activity prevented or would have prevented launches from occurring. Based on these events, we developed daily and multi-day probabilities of lightning violations. We also developed and applied an objective statistical method for determining the seasonality of lightning and for identifying six lightning violation seasons through the course of the calendar year. These seasons were used as the basis for characterizing the temporal and spatial patterns associated with climate scale variations in lightning at KSC/CCAFS. We used atmospheric reanalysis data to analyze the physical processes that lead to interannual variability in: (a) lightning violations in each season; and (b) the start and end dates of the main lightning season. These analyses led to the identification of regional and global scale processes that tend to alter the probability of lightning violations, including: (1) shifts in the strength, latitude, and zonal extent of the Bermuda High; (2) alterations of regional scale divergence and convection, and (3) teleconnections to global scale climate variations. Several of these processes tend to be important in all or most of the six lightning violation seasons. The results of this study help form the foundation for improvements in the analysis and forecasting of natural lightning violations, and in the planning of launches at KSC/CCAFS.

Download or read book 37th AIAA Aerospace Sciences Meeting and Exhibit written by and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 654 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Three dimensional lightning launch commit criteria visualization tool written by William H. Bauman and published by . This book was released on 2014 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book Analysis and Assessment of Peak Lightning Current Probabilities at the NASA Kennedy Space Center written by National Aeronautics and Space Adm Nasa and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2018-09-18 with total page 46 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: This technical memorandum presents a summary by the Electromagnetics and Aerospace Environments Branch at the Marshall Space Flight Center of lightning characteristics and lightning criteria for the protection of aerospace vehicles. Probability estimates are included for certain lightning strikes (peak currents of 200, 100, and 50 kA) applicable to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Space Shuttle at the Kennedy Space Center, Florida, during rollout, on-pad, and boost/launch phases. Results of an extensive literature search to compile information on this subject are presented in order to answer key questions posed by the Space Shuttle Program Office at the Johnson Space Center concerning peak lightning current probabilities if a vehicle is hit by a lightning cloud-to-ground stroke. Vehicle-triggered lightning probability estimates for the aforementioned peak currents are still being worked. Section 4.5, however, does provide some insight on estimating these same peaks.Johnson, D. L. and Vaughan, W. W.Marshall Space Flight CenterLIGHTNING; ELECTRICITY; PROBABILITY THEORY; NASA PROGRAMS; SPACE SHUTTLES; AEROSPACE VEHICLES; LAUNCHING BASES

Download or read book Lightning Protection Guidelines for Aerospace Vehicles written by C. C. Goodloe and published by . This book was released on 1999 with total page 52 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book In the Hot Seat Sts 115 Lightning Strike Stand Down Debate NASA Case Study written by National Aeronautics and Space Adm Nasa and published by Independently Published. This book was released on 2019-01-23 with total page 28 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: There is no way the PIC's could have seen any current' was the gist of Mike Griffin's assessment. Griffin was the NASA Administrator at the time. The buck stopped at his desk. Holding a napkin out to Pat Lampton, Griffin showed Lampton the calculations he'd made over dinner that predicted that the Pyrotechnic Initiator Controllers (PIC's) at the base of the Space Shuttle Solid Rocket Boosters (SRBs) were fine. A lightning strike the day before, the worst ever experienced with a Space Shuttle on the launch pad, caused a halt to the launch count down as technicians, engineers, and managers scrambled identify any damage to the launch system. SRB technicians and engineers assessed the data against their Lightning Strike Re-Test Requirements, determining that all but one of the requirements could be checked if they resumed the countdown. For the one remaining requirement, testing the integrity of the PIC's would require 96 hours to set up, test, and reassemble. The engineers were convinced that there was no way to do calculations to show the PIC's were okay. The only option was to stand down. It was SRB Deputy Project Manager (PM) Pat Lampton's responsibility to decide what the SRB project position needed to be to certify that their hardware was safe to fly. He had to communicate that decision to the Mission Management Team (MMT) as a Go or No Go position to resume the count down. If the answer was Go they could still meet a delayed, but acceptable launch schedule. If the answer was No Go, rescheduling the launch would be a grueling shuffling of hardware, personnel, and mission timelines to accommodate Russian missions to the Space Station, supplies for the launch, and personnel manning launch operations. On top of that, Hurricane Ernesto was spinning off the coast of Florida, threatening the need for the Shuttle to roll back to the hangar if they waited too long. Kummer, Lizette and Stevens, Jennifer Marshall Space Flight Center MSFC-CS1008-1, M17-6063

Download or read book Lightning and the space program written by and published by . This book was released on 2004 with total page 12 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt:

Download or read book The U S Air Force in Space 1945 to the Twenty First Century Proceedings written by Air Force Historical Foundation. Symposium and published by Department of the Air Force. This book was released on 1998-09-02 with total page 216 pages. Available in PDF, EPUB and Kindle. Book excerpt: Contains papers presented at the Air Force Historical Foundation Symposium, held at Andrews Air Force Base, Maryland, on September 21-22, 1995. Topics addressed are: Pt. 1, The Formative Years, 1945-1961; Pt. 2, Mission Development and Exploitation Since 1961; and Pt. 3, Military Space Today and Tomorrow. Includes notes, abbreviations & acronyms, an index, and photographs.