KSC-08pd3116
CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. – In an area near S.R. 520 in Orange County, Florida, the steel tower for a Doppler weather radar facility for the 45th Weather Squadron is nearly complete. At left is the radome that will go on top of the tower, enclosing the radar. The new site replaces one at Patrick Air Force Base and will be used by NASA's Kennedy Space Center, the U.S. Air Force's 45th Space Wing and their customers. The facility will be able to monitor weather conditions directly above and surrounding the launch pads at Kennedy. The weather radar is essential in issuing lightning and other severe weather warnings and vital in evaluating lightning launch commit criteria. Replacing what was installed 25 years ago at Patrick Air Force Base, the new radar includes Doppler capability to detect winds and identify the type, size and number of precipitation particles. The site is ideally distant from the launch pads and has unobstructed views of Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and Kennedy. The radar will be used by forecasters at the USAF 45th Weather Squadron. Photo credit: NASA/Jim Grossmann
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Details
NASA ID
KSC-08pd3116
Date Created
October 14, 2008
Center
KSC
Media Type
image
Location
Kennedy Space Center, FL
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