So Much Depends On The Weather

On 20 November 2021 at 06:16:00, Astra launched its first successful mission to orbit. The company’s stocks surged an estimated 42 percent. With recent news about Astra’s delays and challenges, it’s helpful to remember the successes.

I am thinking that so much depends on the weather.

Space.com reported bad weather foiled the planned launch of Astra’s Rocket 3.0 from the Pacific Spaceport Complex in Alaska on Feb. 29, 2020.

Astra once Tweeted “Every launch, whether successful or not, is an opportunity for us to learn. Our team will study the data and use this information to iterate on our next launch”

I agree that every challenge is an opportunity to learn. Even those who work on powerful rockets don’t understand how everything works. What I understand is that strong winds and thick clouds can cause a launch to be delayed, and delays cost money.

Temperature, winds, rain, and foggy weather can be one of the most unpredictable factors when it comes to sending rockets into space. Launch dates are typically set months in advance. That’s too far out to predict the exact conditions, and even if it looks like a perfect opportunity on the ground, once the rocket takes off and starts climbing to space, strong winds could push the rocket off course.

And then there’s the risk of lightning on a tall structure pointed at the sky.

I say all this not just about Astra, but about any business, because weather, especially extremes and disasters, change how a company functions.

If you are putting together a business plan for launching a startup this week, make sure you have included not just a “Plan B” but a wide variety of plans and strategies for weather-related challenges, delays and emergencies.

Join the conversation with me on Twitter @shervin.