Air Force: Weather looks OK for the Space Coast's next Delta IV rocket launch

Weather conditions are looking mostly favorable for the Space Coast's next launch, according to a statement released Tuesday by local Air Force forecasters.

The 45th Weather Squadron said it anticipates 70 percent "go" conditions for the 6:56 p.m. Friday launch of a United Launch Alliance Delta IV rocket from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The liftoff opportunity at Launch Complex 37 will remain open until 9:05 p.m.

"During the launch window, there is a slight possibility of an isolated shower early in the window as any showers that form inland could move back over the coast with southwesterly steering flow before diminishing shortly after sunset," forecasters said, noting that sunset will occur at 7:31 p.m. "Therefore, the primary concern for launch is the cumulus cloud rule."

Secured atop the rarely launched Delta IV will be the Air Force's 10th Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft, a satellite that will improve military communications once in orbit. It will mark the final launch of the WGS program.

In the event of a delay or scrub, a backup launch opportunity has been secured for around the same time Saturday. Weather conditions, however, would see a dip to only 40 percent "go" due to the possible presence of thunderstorms, showers, and increased cloud cover.

If all goes according to plan, SpaceX's wildly popular Falcon Heavy rocket will follow Delta IV as the next rocket to launch from the Space Coast. The company is currently targeting no earlier than early April to launch the three-core vehicle from Kennedy Space Center's pad 39A with a large, heavy communications satellite for Saudi Arabia's Arabsat.

Contact Emre Kelly at aekelly@floridatoday.com or 321-242-3715. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram at @EmreKelly.