Melbourne
WSR-88D Shuttle & Rocket Plume examples
Satellite Image
Radar Image
On 17 January 1997, a Delta rocket exploded shortly
after lift-off. The WSR-88D at Melbourne was in "non-precipitation mode"
(clear-air mode) for the launch. A low-level non-toxic exhaust cloud was
tracked southward along the immediate coast (0.5
degree reflectivity loop*). Toxic chemicals
remained above a strong low-level inversion and were tracked east-southeast
away from land (2.5 degree reflectivity loop*).
*Slow-loading
loop