5
$\begingroup$

As explained in this answer, the ionised plumes of engine exhausts can provide a low-resistance route for lightning strikes during a launch, potentially endangering the vehicle. This is thought to have been a factor in the Apollo 12 lightning strike which temporarily damaged essential control circuits on board.

This answer gives some more very thorough detail on the science behind this process and also astutely points out in the comments:

It might be that the Apollo 12 incident convinced people that it's not a good idea to launch when there are thunderstorms around.

Have there been any other recorded instances of this phenomenon occurring?

Perhaps the Apollo-12 incident was the first recorded occurrence and since then more precaution has been taken with launch conditions.

$\endgroup$

1 Answer 1

6
$\begingroup$

Sadly, it didn't convince them for long. At least one other vehicle was lost to triggered lightning.

Adding to the misery of the US launch industry in the late 1980s was the Atlas Centaur 67 incident, which was launched into cloudy conditions and subsequently struck by rocket triggered lightning.

Late in the afternoon of 26 March 1987, while the NRC was still considering whether to review the Theon Report as requested by NASA, an Atlas-Centaur designated AC 67 lifted off into a dark, precipitating stratiform overcast from launch complex 36B at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. The payload was a Fleet SatCom satellite for the US Navy. NASA was responsible for managing the launch. Just under 50 seconds later a cloud to ground lightning strike was photographed at the pad and two seconds after that the vehicle began to break up.

Learn all about lightning problems and resulting launch commit criteria here.

enter image description here

And a good Bryan O' Connor safety presentation on it here (source of the slide).

Just because it's awesome, here's a intentional rocket triggered lightning strike video (this one involved a wire).

$\endgroup$
2
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ Interesting a single error compounded into a total LOV. Hurray for modern error correcting and redundancy! Also yeah, awesome video $\endgroup$
    – Jack
    Aug 12, 2018 at 22:07
  • 2
    $\begingroup$ I’ll have a thorough read of that paper when I get a chance... just kidding, it’s a monster, but thanks nonetheless! $\endgroup$
    – Jack
    Aug 12, 2018 at 22:12

Your Answer

By clicking “Post Your Answer”, you agree to our terms of service and acknowledge that you have read and understand our privacy policy and code of conduct.

Not the answer you're looking for? Browse other questions tagged or ask your own question.