[apillar]

Anybody know why NASA is so fanatical about the weather (and always has been)? Is it really that much of a danger? I remember back several years ago watching Russia launching a mission to the ISS in literally near whiteout blizzard conditions. I tuned in and thought, ok this is a scrub for sure, didn't even seem to phase them, no weather hold or nothing, snow so heavy you could barely even see the Soyez rocket on the pad.

[Spktyr]

Crosswinds are one of the main problems. Look at the early rocket launches where winds aloft sent the rocket off in a random direction.

[freedumb2003]

>> I remember back several years ago watching Russia launching a mission to the ISS in literally near whiteout blizzard conditions. I tuned in and thought, ok this is a scrub for sure, didn’t even seem to phase them, no weather hold or nothing, snow so heavy you could barely even see the Soyez rocket on the pad.<<

Americans don’t launch with vodka in the suit liquid dispensers. ;)

[Vermont Lt]

I would imagine that getting hit with lightning might do something to the electronics. And all that liquid O2. It seems prudent to me.

[CodeToad]

Don;t forget it is not just the launch vehicle but radar, telemetry, and optics that all need favorable conditions.