45th Weather Squadron 45th Weather Squadron ( 45 WS ) , 45th Operations Group ( 45 OG ) , 45th Space Wing , at Patrick Air Force Base , Florida performs weather assessments for air and space operations ; specifically , weather observations , forecasts , advisories , and warnings . It specialized in the weather assessments for the Space Shuttle launches at Kennedy Space Center ( KSC ) and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station . The 45 WS provides comprehensive weather data and specialized services for USAF and NASA personnel , such as for flight safety , resource protection ( i . e . ground building and equipment ) , pre - launch ground processing , day - of - launch for Shuttle and other rockets , post - launch , aviation , and special operations . These services are provided for more than 30 to 40 space launch countdowns per year for the Department of Defense ( DOD ) , NASA , USAF , and commercial launch customers . Mission . " Exploit the Weather to Assure Access to Air and Space " History . Detachment 11 of the 2nd Weather Squadron became the 45th Weather Squadron under the 45th Operations Group when the 45th Space Wing was activated in November 1991 . Under either designation , the unit monitored the collection and analysis of all weather data pertinent to Patrick AFB , Cape Canaveral AFS , and Kennedy Space Center operations . The meteorologist provided briefings and forecasts , updated planning and program documents , and evaluated new weather instrumentation for possible use on the Eastern Range . In December 2005 , 45 WS had 7 officers , 18 enlisted people and 9 civilians . Patch . The 45th Weather Squadron patch was designed in 1993 by Technical Sergeant Dave Rose and Senior Airman Tony Correa . The patch is composed of elements which depict the historical past of the 45th Weather Squadron . Two launch vehicles are shown rising above the Earth . One into a field of blue ( representing day ) and the other into a field of black ( representing night ) . This symbolizes the 45th WS ’ s ongoing mission which operates 24 / 7 / 365 . The Earth is depicted as a blue disk bearing latitude and longitude lines . This is a reference to the days when Air Weather Service was a part of Military Airlift Command ( MAC ) and that same blue disk was featured on the MAC patch . The 4 stars in the blue field are a tribute to the 45th WS ’ s former affiliation with the 4th Weather Wing . The single star in the black field represents all the weather personnel who have died in the line of duty and are never forgotten . The fleur de les and anemometer cups are a reference to when Air Weather Service was a part of the American Expeditionary Forces in France during World War I . Shuttle support . 45 WS provided weather data to NASA ' s Lightning Launch Commit Criteria for Shuttle countdown procedures . For Shuttle landing criteria and site selection determination , the Shuttle ’ s in - flight weather support , including landing forecasts , was provided by the National Weather Service ’ s Spaceflight Meteorology Group ( SMG ) at Johnson Space Center ( JSC ) , Texas , in joint with the 45th Weather Squadron . The 45th ’ s area of operation encompasses over of air , land , and sea that make up NASA ' s and the USAF ' s east coast flight range . The 45 SW provided data and decision criteria when a Shuttle was ferried back to KSC from Edwards Air Force Base , California . This is where the Orbiter was mated on top of a modified Boeing 747 , known as the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft , for the return flight to KSC . Edwards AFB desert landing runway was the primary backup site for returning Orbiters when the weather is severe at KSC . Lightning research . Lightning at Kennedy Space Center is a major hazard for space flight . 45WS hopes to implement plan with a specific guideline for determining how long a lightning warning should be maintained after a particular discharge is observed prior to any space launches . The plan will include a joint research project with Florida State University and will be using KSC ' s Lightning Detection and Ranging ( LDAR ) network . The LDAR data collection will permit the study of intracloud and cloud - to - ground discharges within isolated thunderstorms over the KSC .