Do rockets launch in the rain?

Rockets and Rain: A Match Made in… Well, Not Really

We’ve all seen those stunning images: a rocket blasting off into a clear blue sky, a symbol of human ambition reaching for the stars. But what happens when the weather doesn’t cooperate? Can a rocket still launch if it’s raining? It’s a good question, and the answer is more nuanced than a simple yes or no. While it could happen, launching a rocket in the rain is generally a bad idea. Here’s why.

Think of it this way: weather is a huge deal when it comes to rocket launches. Unlike your average commercial airplane, which can handle a bit of turbulence and a downpour, rockets are surprisingly delicate creatures. They’re built to withstand incredible pressure, sure, but only in one direction – straight up! Any force coming from the side, like a strong gust of wind, can throw things off course. Now, you might think, “Why not just build them stronger?” Well, adding extra reinforcement means adding extra weight, and that extra weight makes it harder (and more expensive) to get the rocket into space. It’s a tricky balancing act.

And it’s not just the rain itself we have to worry about. Rain often brings along a whole host of other problems, like:

• Lightning: This is the big one. A rocket soaring through the sky is basically a giant lightning rod. A direct hit could fry its sensitive electronics or, even worse, cause a catastrophic explosion. Launch pads have lightning protection systems (those massive towers you sometimes see), but you still don’t want to push your luck. NASA, for example, has a strict rule: no launch within 10 nautical miles of a thunderstorm that’s produced lightning in the last half hour.
• Winds: Imagine trying to balance a pencil on your finger in a hurricane. That’s kind of what it’s like launching a rocket in strong winds. They can destabilize the rocket and make it difficult to control. And it’s not just surface winds we’re worried about; wind shear (changes in wind speed or direction at different altitudes) can also cause major headaches. If the wind is blowing more than 30 mph at the 162-foot level of the launch pad, it’s generally a no-go.
• Clouds: Believe it or not, even clouds can be a problem. The type and thickness of the cloud cover matter. Launch teams have to keep a close eye on cumulus clouds, especially if their tops are reaching into freezing temperatures. Launching through thick, icy clouds is a recipe for disaster.
• Freezing Temps: Speaking of freezing, ice forming on the rocket can also cause damage.

Remember Apollo 12? Launched during a thunderstorm, the Saturn V rocket got zapped by lightning not long after liftoff. Systems went haywire, alarms blared, and it was a pretty hairy situation. Thankfully, they managed to recover, but it was a close call and a valuable lesson learned.

You might have heard that Russian rockets, like the Soyuz, are tougher when it comes to bad weather. There’s a bit of truth to that. They often launch from Baikonur Cosmodrome, which has some pretty extreme weather. So, they might be built a little more ruggedly. But, some say they’re just willing to take a bit more risk.

So, how do they decide whether to launch or not? They use something called “launch commit criteria.” It’s basically a giant checklist of weather conditions. If any of those conditions aren’t met – too much wind, too much lightning, too many clouds – the launch gets delayed.

The bottom line? While it is possible to launch a rocket in the rain, it’s usually not worth the risk. Spaceflight is already a dangerous business, so you don’t want to add any unnecessary complications. That’s why you see so many launches getting postponed due to weather. It’s all about playing it safe and making sure those brave astronauts (and those incredibly expensive rockets) make it to space in one piece.