Status Report

Genesis Launch Postponed at Least 24 Hours Due to Weather

By SpaceRef Editor
August 1, 2001
Filed under , ,

The launch of NASA’s Genesis spacecraft aboard a Delta II rocket was
postponed today because of thick cloud conditions in the flight path of the
launch vehicle. Launch will now occur no earlier than 12:27:09 p.m. EDT
(9:27:09 a.m. PDT) on Thursday, Aug. 2.

Mission managers will assemble for a weather update at about 10 p.m. EDT
tonight to determine the feasibility of a launch attempt Thursday. The
current forecast indicates an 80 percent chance of weather violation
Thursday, a 60 percent chance of violation Friday and a 40 percent chance of
violation Saturday. The primary concerns are rain showers, thick clouds and
thunderstorms.

No significant technical issues were worked during the countdown, and the
Delta II rocket and Genesis spacecraft remain in excellent health. The
two-minute launch window opens Friday at 12:23:53 p.m. EDT (9:23:53 a.m.
PDT), and Saturday at 12:23:40 p.m. EDT (9:23:40 a.m. PDT).

The thick cloud rule prohibits launch if the vehicle’s flight path travels
through nontransparent clouds greater than 4,500 feet (about 1,370 meters)
thick. Updates from the weather reconnaissance aircraft reported clouds
8,000 feet (about 2,440 meters) thick in the Delta’s flight path during the
final built-in hold at T-4 minutes.

SpaceRef staff editor.