Poster papers on hurricanes and tornadoes summarized. Thunderstorms generate elusive and mysterious sprites. Preview of the 11th International Conference on Atmospheric Electricity. We are quite sure that it's safe before a rocket launches. But it leads to a reduction in launch opportunities.
Aircraft pose a different challenge.
Most aircraft are well shielded against lightning because of the design of their metal airframes. Lightning is conducted around the skin and continues on its way in most cases. But as designers move to lightweight composites that don't conduct electricity, they face an increased risk of damage to the aircraft. Willett noted that some strikes have splintered the plastic or rubberized radar domes on the nose of some aircraft. Further, the electronics that really control the aircraft will have to be shielded so they don't blank out for several seconds, as happened when Apollo 12 was struck.