This data helps forecasters determine when electric charge aloft may be sufficient to create triggered lightning during launch, and to determine when to issue and cancel lightning advisories and warnings. Location accuracy is optimum within 30 nautical miles. Locations of strikes are color coded according to time of occurance. Location accuracy is very high within 25 nautical miles. LDAR was developed by NASA-KSC and is currently being transitioned to operational status.
Plots cloud to ground lightning nationwide.
Used to help ensure safe transit of the Space Shuttle orbiter atop the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft between Edwards Air Force Base in California and the Kennedy Space Center in Florida. It is also used to assess lightning beyond the 125 mile range of the Lightning Detection System. A balloon with a tethered instrument package which radios its altitude to the ground together with temperature, dewpoint and humidity, wind speed and direction, and pressure data. Rawinsondes reach altitudes exceeding 100,000 feet. A reflective balloon made of mylar tracked by radar which provides highly accurate information on wind speed and wind direction up to 60,000 feet.