In addition to its weather-watching mission and collection of climate records, MSG-3 has a radiation sensor to measures the amount of solar and infrared energy that is reflected back into space, to better understand climate processes.
It said Mr Roche had talked about weather conditions during a brief discussion with the chief pilot of the Shuttleworth Collection, which is housed at the aerodrome, before his flight.
In 1991 Arnold and his wife, Charlotte, moved the collection to Las Vegas, partly because the warm, dry weather was easier on his machines but mostly to be part of the spectacle.
Laws regarding the compulsory collection of animal carcasses from farms have also been relaxed where exceptional weather conditions make off-site disposal impossible.