Weather prediction has totally got to be some kind of black magic. The weather guys forecast and forecast, and they still don’t always get it right until it’s basically upon them. I don’t believe we’ll ever be able to predict the weather entirely. Control it, maybe someday, but not predict it.
When I went in to work this afternoon, I rolled my eyes a bit at the thought that we were even trying to launch today. A 70% chance of no-go weather? If chances are bad, it’s always a gamble to bring in the entire launch team — hundreds of people at both JSC and KSC. But the decision had been made to start loading the external tank with propellant, and if you’re gonna do that, you might as well try to launch!
What a difference a couple hours can make.
Next thing I know, the weather in Florida is beautiful, the weather in Spain and France is beautiful, and suddenly 3…2…1…
LIFT-OFF!
