Range activity shall stop upon detection of a thunderstorm within what distance from the launch site?

The correct answer is based on safety protocols designed to protect individuals involved in activities near a launch site during thunderstorms. The guidelines typically recommend that when a thunderstorm is detected within a distance of 10 miles (16 kilometers), all activities should be suspended. This distance is considered a threshold where the risk of lightning and severe weather conditions can pose a significant danger to personnel and equipment.

Thunderstorms can produce lightning strikes that can extend several miles from the storm itself, hence the necessity of stopping activities well before the storm reaches the launch site. Monitoring weather conditions and adhering to safety distances, such as the 10-mile guideline, helps to minimize risks associated with such severe weather events.

Making the choice of a larger distance could be seen as providing an additional margin of safety, but operational guidelines specifically highlight the 10-mile limit as a standard practice to follow. This ensures a proactive approach to safety that is widely accepted in the field.