Since I did not see it posted anywhere on here I figured i would post the weather site/data for New Zealand. Now that we have to keep an eye on launch weather for this launch site
http://www.metservice.com/national/homeEDIT: And with that, there is a large, thick looking cloud area heading for the launch site currently.
SCRUB, per the Twitter feed. Try again tomorrow.
Here's the web update.
https://www.rocketlabusa.com/latest/its-a-test-live-news-updates-2/Rocket Lab Testing Update ― 23 May 2017
Rocket Lab scrubs test launch attempt from Launch Complex 1
Rocket Lab has postponed the test launch of its Electron vehicle today due to weather conditions. The planned launch attempt will now take place on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
Peter Beck, CEO and founder of Rocket Lab, says poor weather is delaying the launch attempt of Rocket Lab’s first test rocket titled ‘It’s a Test’.
“We’ve been able to roll the rocket out to the launch pad, but now we’re waiting for the high altitude cloud to clear.
“Safety is Rocket Lab’s number one priority and we are following guidelines set by the FAA and NASA around weather and launch safety.
“Current weather conditions put us at risk of what’s called Triboelectrification. This is the build up of static charge through friction. Ice and other particles in high cloud strike the rocket transferring electrons (the atomic kind) and build up charge on the surface of the vehicle. This can lead to large voltage potential and encourage electric discharges or lightning which may affect the avionics onboard,” says Beck.
During the test phase, it’s common for planned launches to be postponed to ensure ideal conditions. The launch attempt will now occur on Wednesday, May 24, 2017.
For updates from Rocket Lab, follow us on Twitter
http://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA
Here's the full tweet. Reason is triboelectrification.
"Launch postponed for the day due to risk of triboelectrification. Will try again tomorrow! #ItsaTest"
https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/866808841337307139
Memories of Ares I-X, anyone?
Hang on a sec.. isn't this rocket made from (conductive) carbon fibre? Are they trying to say they've designed it, built it, tested it and they didn't check for surface conductivity and electrostatic bonding?!? Seriously?!?? Oh, boy..
What are you on about?
If I missed the joke, nevermind.
Here's the full tweet. Reason is triboelectrification.
"Launch postponed for the day due to risk of triboelectrification. Will try again tomorrow! #ItsaTest"
https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/866808841337307139
Memories of Ares I-X, anyone?
Huh, this one has an instrumented mass simulator on top too!
The similarities end there, though, as RocketLab claim to have figured out how to air-light an engine, which NASA hasn't done on an orbital launch vehicle in more than 40 years
What are you on about? If I missed the joke, nevermind.
Not a joke. Triboelectricity (basically static electricity) and it's effects is something that is well quantified and also something that can be prevented by design by ensuring the outside surface of the rocket is conductive.
This article (related to Ares I-X) explains it all fairly clearly:
https://ams.confex.com/ams/14Meso15ARAM/webprogram/Handout/Paper190923/091_winters.pdfThe only other explanation I can think of is that they're being extra, super, almost ridiculously, cautious -
but then why not blame the delay on telemetry issues or something a little more understandable?
EDIT: Reading their updates, it does seem they are being extra, super, careful in waiting for "ideal conditions" since "it's a test" and there is a lot of both money and credibility on the line.. so I'll back off and give them a break. Like everyone else I suppose, I just wish they'd light the blue touch-paper and get it over with already.. so hopefully they'll get those "ideal" conditions soon.
Here's the full tweet. Reason is triboelectrification.
"Launch postponed for the day due to risk of triboelectrification. Will try again tomorrow! #ItsaTest"
https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/866808841337307139
Memories of Ares I-X, anyone?
Hang on a sec.. isn't this rocket made from (conductive) carbon fibre? Are they trying to say they've designed it, built it, tested it and they didn't check for surface conductivity and electrostatic bonding?!? Seriously?!?? Oh, boy..
Carbon fiber is conductive. The epoxy that encases it, not so much. Boeing had to add a layer of bronze mesh to the 787 material for lightning strikes.
New NOTAMs for 24 May attempt. Same launch window of 00:30 to 05:30 UTC.
B2384/17 (Issued for NZZC NZZO) - DANGER AREA NZD492 (MAHIA, HAWKE'S BAY) ACT.
REF AIP SUP 12/17. SFC - FL999, 24 MAY 00:30 2017 UNTIL 24 MAY 05:30 2017. CREATED:
23 MAY 04:47 2017
B2383/17 - TEMPO DANGER AREA NZD028 (EAST AUCKLAND OCEANIC FIR) IS
PRESCRIBED AS FLW:
ALL THAT AIRSPACE BOUNDED BY COORDINATES:
S 41 10 00.0, E 178 52 00.0
S 43 44 27.2, E 179 27 48.0
S 53 11 30.0, W 178 18 00.0
S 57 44 00.0, W 176 54 00.0
S 66 11 20.0, W 172 00 00.0
S 66 31 05.0, W 174 35 50.0
S 58 02 00.0, W 178 56 00.0
S 53 22 59.0, E 179 50 30.0
S 49 36 00.0, E 178 58 00.0
S 46 36 00.0, E 178 16 30.0
S 43 54 00.0, E 177 46 30.0
S 41 10 00.0, E 177 41 00.0
ACTIVITY: ROCKETRY
ADMINISTERING AUTHORITY: ROCKET LAB LTD, TEL +64 21 0829 2217.
PRESCRIBED PURSUANT TO CIVIL AVIATION RULE PART 71 UNDER A DELEGATED
AUTHORITY ISSUED BY THE DIRECTOR OF CIVIL AVIATION. SFC - FL999, 24 MAY 00:30
2017 UNTIL 24 MAY 05:30 2017. CREATED: 23 MAY 04:43 2017
Rocket LabVerified account @RocketLabUSA 2m2 minutes ago
Launch currently on hold due to weather - high clouds causing risk of triboelectrification. Updates to follow #ItsaTest
https://twitter.com/RocketLabUSA/status/866792255339634688
It's a 9 day launch window and they did warn it'd be very unlikely to launch right at the start of the window.
To actually get to having an orbital launch window is still a very impressive achievement.
Small historical point. Australia launched the UK's Black Arrow ELV in the 60's and was planned to be a launch base for IIRC both Beal and Kistler.
I'm not entirely sure but I don't think Australia has ever launched an LV of its own, either built in country or by a company based there.
All these scrubs do raise the question of whether they will be able to fly as often as they have been claiming. They chose this spot in NZ because of the lack of marine and air traffic but that doesn't help much if the weather is crap all the time.
Sent from my LGL44VL using Tapatalk
Weather forecast for next 10 days. A nice 13.3 C now! Winds are gusting to 21.9 km/h. If there is a delay, a Wednesday attempt is probably out due to rain. Thursday afternoon is looks better.
https://www.wunderground.com/cgi-bin/findweather/getForecast?query=pws:IHKBMAHI2
Last thing you want to do is launching an electric rocket in the rain... Like wearing a sweater on the Hindenburg.... 
I know you're making a joke, but it'd be fine. Rain is just fine. Saltwater may be a different story.
All these scrubs do raise the question of whether they will be able to fly as often as they have been claiming. They chose this spot in NZ because of the lack of marine and air traffic but that doesn't help much if the weather is crap all the time.
Sent from my LGL44VL using Tapatalk
Well, this is the height of winter down in the southern hemisphere so the weather is especially bad. I'm pretty sure the weather will be better most of the year.
Small historical point. Australia launched the UK's Black Arrow ELV in the 60's and was planned to be a launch base for IIRC both Beal and Kistler.
I'm not entirely sure but I don't think Australia has ever launched an LV of its own, either built in country or by a company based there.
Australia also launched WRESAT on a Sparta (modified surplus Redstone, with 2 upper stages) in 1967.
If I missed the joke, nevermind. 
