Despite the wild weather now, the forecast is good for a planned rocket launch from the Central Coast later this week. The United Launch Alliance is set to launch an Atlas V rocket from Vandenberg Space Force Base early Thursday morning.
The rocket has two payloads. One is a next generation weather satellite for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration.
The second is NASA's Low-Earth Orbit Flight Test. It’s an inflatable heat shield designed to provide a more efficient way for space vehicles to re-enter the atmosphere. After being flown into orbit, the shield system will land back on Earth in a test of the technology.
The flight had originally been set for October 29, but was delayed because of a problem with a battery on the rocket. If weather permits, the 1:25 a.m. launch should be visible throughout the Tri-Counties.
