Statistical Analysis of Lightning Risk

The contract seeks to apply advanced statistical and probabilistic methods to historical lightning and weather data in order to assess and quantify the risks associated with launch operations. The goal is to use this analysis to develop more accurate and data-driven criteria for determining when launch conditions are safe, enhancing decision-making during mission planning. This work will leverage existing meteorological records to identify patterns, correlations, and thresholds that directly impact launch safety, with an emphasis on improving reliability and reducing uncertainty in risk assessments. The contract is structured as a subcontract under the NAICS code 541620, indicating it falls under scientific and technical consulting services. It is sponsored by the NASA Shared Services Center on behalf of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, with a response deadline of July 9, 2026, and a posting date of July 7, 2026. The work is intended to inform updated operational guidelines, though no specific location for performance or point of contact is provided. The focus remains entirely on analytical methodology applied to historical data, with outcomes expected to directly support NASA’s launch safety protocols.