THE PROBLEM OF LIGHTNING AND STATIC ELECTRICITY AT THE KENNEDY SPACE CENTER

Lightning and static electricity represent a significant hazard at the Kennedy Space Center to many operations. Aside from the risks to personnel, facilities, and schedules, the financial aspects of failing to minimize the effects of lightning are very significant. Special instrumentation is in continuous use to monitor the lightning threat and facilitate predicting lightning events. The event of triggered lightning which accompanied the launch of Apollo Twelve has been the subject of prolonged investigation and discussion. New Mission Rules were adopted to lessen the risk of a repeat of that incident. Investigations are in progress to assess the possibility of discharging clouds for a significant period of time.

The matter of lightning interference will probably become more critical with the development and operational use of shuttle type spacecraft, since the use of such vehicles will probably require something near an all-weather capability.