Summary of Launch Weather Criteria for Atlas V/Mars Science Laboratory Do not launch if the Do not launch if wind at the launch pad field mill instrument exceeds 33 knots. readings within five nautical miles of the launch pad or the flight Do not launch if the path exceed +/- 1,500 ceiling is less than volts per meter for 6,000 feet or the 15 minutes after they occur, or +/- 1,000 volts visability is less than per meter if specified 4 nautical miles. criteria can be met. Do not launch through Do not launch if an upper-level conditions attached thunderstorm anvil is within 10, 5, containing wind shear or 3 nautical miles of that could lead to the flight path, unless control problems for the time-associated criteria launch vehicle. specified for these three distances can be met. Do not launch through or within five nautical Do not launch if a miles of a cloud layer detached thunderstorm greater than 4,500 feet anvil is within thick that extends into 10 nautical miles or if within 3 nautical freezing temperatures, miles or fly through unless other specified a detached anvil criteria have been met. The Mars Science Laboratory inside the fairing that is being installed unless specific time- around it. associated criteria Do not launch through have been met. or within five to 10 miles of cumulus clouds with Do not launch if a thunderstorm debris cloud tops that extend into freezing temperatures is within 3 nautical miles or fly through a debris unless specified conditions and distances can be cloud for three hours unless specific criteria have met. been met. Do not launch through disturbed weather that within 10 nautical miles of the Do not launch has clouds that extend into freezing temperatures edge of a thunderstorm that is producing lightning and contain moderate or greater precipitation, for 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed. or launch within five nautical miles of disturbed weather within the flight path unless specified criteria can be met. Do not launch for 30 minutes after lightning is observed within 10 nautical miles of the launch Do not launch through cumulus clouds formed pad or the flight path unless specified conditions as the result of or directly attached to a smoke can be met. plume unless specified criteria are met..