The LWDSS atmospheric remote sensing system addresses weather-related launch complex operational challenges, providing continuous radiosonde-like temperature, humidity and pressure soundings, and liquid soundings. The system will also identify lightning risk hours in advance of traditional electric field mill methods. These features will improve launch operation safety and efficiency and will reduce the cost of access to space.
A number of international airports are currently operating and evaluating Radiometrics SkyCastTM Total Profiling Solutions for airport weather decision support. An integrated wind and thermodynamic profiling system supporting airport weather applications is shown in operation at the Abu Dhabi International Airport in Figure 14. Meteo France is in discussion with RDX regarding implementation of a Launch Weather Decision Support System at the Arianne Launch Facility in French Guiana. The research and development supported by this NASA STTR will stimulate launch and airport weather decision support system commercialization. The RDX-CAPS team is developing and testing drone corridor weather decision support systems in collaboration with two companies closely engaged with the Upstate New York UAV test bed and the New York State Mesonet.
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