Developing Advanced Space Weather and Safety Analytics for Launch Operations
A major East Coast space launch facility struggled with outdated, manual safety and weather systems that caused costly launch delays and operational bottlenecks. By introducing modern analytics, UX design, and agile product practices, we reduced rocket dispersion modeling time by 95%, enabled faster and more accurate weather advisories, cut weather-related scrubs by 27%, and helped secure a $10M contract extension—transforming the facility’s approach to safety analytics and operational readiness.
The Challenge
A major space launch facility on the East Coast faced critical challenges in their operational safety systems. As commercial space launch cadence increased dramatically, their legacy methods for analyzing launch safety parameters—particularly rocket dispersion modeling and weather analysis—were proving inadequate for modern needs.
The facility's Safety Division was responsible for ensuring that each launch posed minimal risk to personnel, property, and the general public. Their existing processes for modeling "rocket dispersion"—the potential area affected if a launch vehicle experienced a catastrophic failure—relied on outdated methodology that required extensive manual calculations and could take weeks to complete for each mission.
Similarly, their Weather Squadron faced challenges with the timely production and distribution of Weather Warning and Advisories (WWAs). Florida's notoriously volatile weather patterns made accurate forecasting crucial, yet their system for collecting, analyzing, and disseminating weather data was largely manual and prone to delays.
When we began engagement with this client, they had recently experienced multiple launch delays attributed to these operational bottlenecks, costing millions of dollars per incident and threatening their ability to maintain competitive launch schedules.
The government program manager handling these critical safety functions had deep domain expertise but limited experience in modern product development methodologies that could help transform these legacy processes.
Adjective's Approach
We recognized that this engagement required a delicate balance between respecting established safety protocols and introducing modern software approaches. Rather than attempting to replace their safety systems outright, we focused on augmenting their capabilities through targeted technology integration.
Our first step was immersive learning—spending time with both the Safety Division and Weather Squadron to understand their workflows, pain points, and the regulatory requirements governing their operations. This research revealed that while their analytical models were scientifically sound, the implementation was hampered by manual processes and siloed data.
Working closely with the government program manager, we introduced product management concepts appropriate for their environment. This involved coaching them in agile methodologies adapted for the federal space, helping them prioritize features, and creating user stories that reflected both technical and operational requirements.
For the rocket dispersion modeling application, we paired directly with their engineering team to design a solution that would automate complex calculations while maintaining transparency and auditability. Using Figma, we created detailed prototypes that visualized how launch safety analysts could input mission parameters, run simulations, and interpret results more efficiently.
The interface design deliberately prioritized clarity over sophistication, knowing that Safety Division personnel needed absolute confidence in the system's outputs. We incorporated multiple validation steps and clear visualizations of dispersion patterns that could be easily communicated to decision-makers during time-sensitive launch windows.
For the Weather Squadron, we designed automated data ingestion systems that could pull information from various meteorological sources, apply their established analysis models, and generate standardized Weather Warning and Advisories. The interface allowed meteorologists to review automated assessments, make expert adjustments when necessary, and distribute alerts through multiple channels simultaneously.
Throughout the process, we facilitated regular feedback sessions with end-users, ensuring that each iteration better addressed their operational needs. By demonstrating early value with working prototypes rather than just specifications, we built trust and enthusiasm for the modernization effort.
The Results
The impact of these applications extended far beyond simple operational improvements. The rocket dispersion modeling system reduced analysis time from weeks to hours—a 95% improvement that directly translated to enhanced launch readiness.
More importantly, the increased computational capacity allowed safety analysts to run multiple simulation scenarios with varying parameters, providing a more comprehensive risk assessment than was previously possible. This enhanced capability led to more precise launch commit criteria, expanding viable launch windows without compromising safety standards.
The Weather Squadron similarly transformed their operations with the new automated system. Weather Warning and Advisories that previously took hours to generate and distribute could now be produced in minutes. The system's machine learning components also improved forecast accuracy by correlating historical weather patterns with current conditions, particularly for the localized lightning conditions that frequently affect Florida's Space Coast.
These operational improvements directly contributed to a 27% reduction in weather-related launch scrubs over the following year. Given that each scrubbed launch represented costs between $500,000 and several million dollars, the financial impact was substantial.
Beyond the technical achievements, the program manager developed new capabilities in product management, creating a sustainable framework for future innovations. They established a continuous feedback loop with end-users that ensured ongoing refinement of the systems based on operational experience.
The Transformation
What began as a targeted technology implementation evolved into a fundamental transformation of how the organization approached safety analytics. The success of these initial applications created momentum for broader modernization efforts across the launch range.
The government program manager, initially hesitant about applying commercial product methodologies to federal safety systems, became an advocate for this approach. They leveraged the demonstrated success to secure additional funding for expanding these capabilities, ultimately leading to a $10 million contract extension to develop related systems for the launch facility.
The applications themselves became showcases for how advanced analytics could enhance rather than replace expert judgment in safety-critical environments. Rather than automating decisions, the systems empowered human experts with better information, more comprehensive analysis, and clearer visualization of complex data.
This case exemplifies how thoughtfully designed technology can transform even the most exacting and regulated operations. By respecting established safety protocols while introducing modern analytical capabilities, we created systems that not only improved operational efficiency but enhanced the overall safety posture of a critical national asset.