Launch commit criteria are the criteria which must be met in order for the countdown and launch of a Space Shuttle or other launch vehicle to continue. These criteria relate to safety issues and the general success of the launch, as opposed to supplemental data. Atlas V Launch commit criteria for Atlas V launches are similar to those used for the Atlas V launch of the Mars Science Laboratory wind at the launch pad exceeds ceiling less than or visibility less than upper-level conditions containing wind shear that could lead to control problems for the launch vehicle. cloud layer greater than thick that extends into freezing temperatures cumulus clouds with tops that extend into freezing temperatures within of the edge of a thunderstorm that is producing lightning for 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed. field mill instrument readings within of the launch pad or the flight path exceed +/- 1,500 volts per meter for 15 minutes after they occur thunderstorm anvil is within of the flight path thunderstorm debris cloud is within or fly through a debris cloud for three hours Do not launch through disturbed weather that has clouds that extend into freezing temperatures and contain moderate or greater precipitation, or launch within of disturbed weather adjacent to the flight path Do not launch through cumulus clouds formed as the result of or directly attached to a smoke plume Falcon 9 NASA has identified the Falcon 9 vehicle cannot be launched under the following conditions. sustained wind at the level of the launch pad in excess of , upper-level conditions containing wind shear that could lead to control problems for the launch vehicle, launch through a cloud layer greater than thick that extends into freezing temperatures, launch within of cumulus clouds with tops that extend into freezing temperatures, within of the edge of a thunderstorm that is producing lightning within 30 minutes after the last lightning is observed, within of an attached thunderstorm anvil cloud, within of disturbed weather clouds that extend into freezing temperatures and contain moderate or greater precipitation, within of a thunderstorm debris cloud, through cumulus clouds formed as the result of or directly attached to a smoke plume. The following should delay launch: delay launch for 15 minutes if field mill instrument readings within of the launch pad exceed +/- 1,500 volts per meter, or +/- 1,000 volts per meter, delay launch for