DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICE Patrick AFB FL 32925-3239

Patrick AFB FL 32925-3239

15 February 2003

SHUTTLE FERRY FLIGHT (SFF) WEATHER OPERATIONS

1. 
   45 WS Range Weather Operations Flight (RWO) is the primary weather unit responsible for SFF support. RWO uses all tools available, to ensure the SCA commander receives the best available weather information. The 45 WS assigns one or two Ferry Weather Officer(s) (FWO) to travel with the ferry team to coordinate both in-flight and on-the-ground support. The local weather unit supporting SFF is responsible for providing current observations, local forecasts, and access to data for the FWO. The FWO coordinates en route and landing weather with RWO. All weather data emphasizes conditions relating to flight and ground limitations listed in paragraph 3. If weather support capabilities do not exist at a landing site, the FWO coordinates with RWO and the nearest NWS office or DOD unit. RWO metwatches the SCA flight by monitoring en route weather and coordinating with units at each departure point.
   

2. 
   At each departure point the local unit provides required resources to help the FWO prepare the following (two copies) for the SCA commander and Pathfinder commander or representatives.
   

(1) Flight weather briefing form (AF Form 175-1), to include -9°C level along route.

(3) Weather information supplied by RWO.

c. The NASA Ferry Project Officer requires the following support at each refueling stop or landing site upon SCA/OV arrival.
(1) Upon SCA/OV arrival, begin continuous 24-hour metwatch and brief FWO on possibility of occurrence for metwatch criteria violations for length of SCA stay. If metwatch is unavailable on site, the FWO coordinates with RWO. Specific metwatch criteria are: (reference d.)
(a) Lightning within 5 NM.
(b) Hail, any size.
(c) Moderate or heavy precipitation.
(d) Surface winds greater than 50 kts.
(e) Surface temperatures less than 60 degrees F for more than 2 hours.
NOTE: Desired lead time is 1 hour. Issue advisories to the FWO.
(2) Calculate a toxic corridor based on paragraph 3.i. of Annex H and pass to the OSC.
NOTE: If a spill occurs, provide updates of the toxic corridor using current conditions.
3. Limitations. Consider these limitations to ferry operations when briefing the crew:
a. Flight operates in daylight hours only.
b. No flight through visible moisture. This essentially means no clouds or precipitation.

c. No flight through moderate or greater turbulence.

(INTENTIONALLY BLANK)

MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICE

Patrick AFB FL 32925-3239

15 February 2003

APPENDIX 3 TO ANNEX H TO DDMS CONTINGENCY FUNCPLAN 3610-03

TAL SITE	PRIMARY WIND	ALT WIND SENSOR/REMARKS
Zaragoza AB, Spain	HANDAR	None
Moron AB, Spain	HANDAR	Approach End Sensor
Ben Guerir, Morocco	South HANDAR Sensor	North HANDAR 21015P22

(1) Cloud ceiling forms or dissipates below, decreases to less than, or if below,

increases to equal or exceed:
(a) 10000 feet
(b) 5000 feet
(2) Visibility decreases to less than, or if below increases to equal or exceed:
(a) 7 statute miles
(b) 5 statute miles
(3) When lightning is first observed (with or without thunder).
(4) When precipitation or virga is observed to begin and end.
(5) Within 3 hours prior to launch window opening:
(a) Peak wind observed in the past 10 minutes exceeds the average wind speed (as defined in FMH-1 or equivalent DOD guidelines) by more than 10 knots.

(b) Peak crosswinds exceed:

1. 15 knots daylight (sunrise - 15 minutes to sunset + 15 minutes)
2. 12 knots nighttime (sunset + 15 minutes to sunrise - 15 minutes)
(c) Peak headwind exceeds 25 knots.
(d) Average (as defined in FMH-1 or equivalent DOD manual) tailwind exceeds 10 knots.
(e) Peak tailwind exceeds 15 knots.
(f) Turbulence is reported by aircraft to the observer that is moderate or greater. Put report in remarks if space allows.
(6) When non-transparent detached thunderstorm anvils (cirrus spissatus cumulonimbogenitus, high cloud code 3) are initially observed or dissipate.
(7) When cumulus clouds are suspected to be created by smoke or fires.
(8) Whenever any other meteorological situation designated by JSC/SMG, or which in the opinion of the observer, is critical to mission success or safety occurs.
NOTE: For wind criteria take specials only from L-3 hours until negative TAL.
c. Surface Observation Transmission Schedule. Take routine 24 hour TAL site surface observations beginning at L-48 hours, where L-minus refers to the beginning of the launch window. L+plus refers to the actual launch time. Transmit observations as follows:
(1) L-48 hours until L-3 hours: transmit every hour on the hour.
(2) L-3 hours until L-30 minutes: transmit every 30 minutes on the hour and the half hour.
(3) L-30 minutes until Launch: Every 15 minutes, including launch time (L+0). Observations from this point forward are keyed to launch time.
(4) L+15 minutes.
(5) Fifteen minutes prior to a contingency landing, relay a special observation, to include temperature and dew point, to the airfield tower/NASA GOM for transmission to the orbiter crew, then voice observation to SMG via INMARSAT.
(6) Upon touchdown of the orbiter, transmit a complete observation over the AWN or via INMARSAT.
(7) If no orbiter landing occurs, transmit a complete observation over the AWN or via INMARSAT at L+35 minutes.
(8) If the launch scrubs, transmit a complete observation over the AWN or via INMARSAT at the actual TAL abort time, if possible. Otherwise, transmit a complete observation at scrub announcement +35 minutes.
d. Ground Operations. Provide routine 24-hour observation support for NASA Ops until orbiter ground operations are complete. Disseminate these observations via the AWN, INMARSAT, Internet, or commercial phone lines, and locally to the NASA GOM.
4. Weather Point of Contact.
a. Each designated EOM, AOA, and TAL site requires a qualified forecaster (grade E-5 or higher) to act as the weather point of contact (WPOC) for shuttle operations. This person must be knowledgeable in the following areas:
(l) Shuttle weather requirements.
(2) Local weather conditions.
(3) RATS operations (only at locations that use RATS equipment).
(4) Weather observations.
(5) Shuttle weather data communications.
(6) Weather radar interpretation.
b. DDMS-W provides shuttle-unique training for the TAL site WPOC. Tasked units coordinate with DDMS-W for shuttle-unique weather support training and are responsible to certify and document training in training records.
5. TAL Site Support. The requirements for TAL sites, grouped by location, appear below:
a. Moron AB, Spain.
(l) Normally used every mission.
(2) The Naval European Meteorology and Oceanography Center (NEMOC), NS Rota, Spain, provides one weather point of contact, one TASS operator, and two surface weather technicians qualified to take weather observations for operations starting at L-48 hours.
(3) In support of an orbiter landing at Moron AB, the USAFE Operational Weather Squadron, Sembach AB, Germany, and NEMOC, Rota, Spain, will provide manning and equipment as outlined in Annex H to reference g. to support extended operations. Deployed TAL weather personnel remain in place to support ground operations until replacements arrive to establish a complete weather support element. The DDMS weather operations officer deploys as part of the NASA Rapid Response Team (RRT) or Deployed Operations Team (DOT) to function as a weather liaison with NASA.
b. Zaragoza AB, Spain.
(1) Normally used for high and mid inclination launches.
(2) The USAFE OWS provides one WPOC, one TASS operator, and two surface weather technicians qualified to take weather observations for operations starting at L-48 hours.
(3) In support of an orbiter landing at Zaragoza AB, the USAFE OWS and NEMOC will provide manning and equipment as outlined in Annex H to reference g. to support extended operations. Deployed TAL weather personnel remain in place to support ground operations until replacements arrive to establish a complete weather support element. The DDMS weather operations officer deploys as part of the NASA RRT or DOT to function as a weather liaison with NASA.
c. Ben Guerir, Morocco.
(1) Normally used every mission.
(2) NASA-contracted Moroccan weather observers take surface weather observations starting at L-48 hours.
(3) The 21st Operations Support Squadron (21 OSS/OSW), Peterson AFB, CO, provides WPOC or one TASS operator for operations starting at L-48 hours.
(4) The 45th Weather Squadron (45 WS), Patrick AFB, FL provides one WPOC or one RATS operator for operations starting at L-48 hours.
(5) In support of an orbiter landing at Ben Guerir, the USAFE OWS and NEMOC will provide manning and equipment as outlined in Annex H to reference g. to support extended operations. Deployed TAL weather personnel remain in place to support ground operations until replacements arrive to establish a complete weather support element. The DDMS weather operations officer deploys as part of the NASA RRT or DOT to function as a weather liaison with NASA.

DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

MANNED SPACE FLIGHT SUPPORT OFFICE

Directory: main
main -> Thirteenth Maine Regiment
main -> Sra: Imagine It!, Themes, Taking a Stand, Ancient Civilizations Ecology, Great Expectations, Earth in Action, Art and Impact, Level 6
main -> The Significant Properties of Software: a study
main -> Temperature and somatic growth effects on otolith growth of larval Atlantic menhaden, Brevoortia tyrannus
main -> Jl. K. S tubun 2c no. 57 Petamburan Jakarta Barat
main -> Why did they commit this attack
main -> Untying the Knot? Assessing the compatibility of the American and European strategic culture under President Obama
main -> Sra: Imagine It!, Themes, Risks and Consequences, Nature's Delicate Balance, a changing America, Science Fair, America on the Move, Dollars and Sense, Level 4 [Grade 4]
main -> The Internet on Strike Katrin Henry

Download 2.5 Mb.

Share with your friends: