![]() A few weeks ago we stepped behind the scenes with Keith Koehler, a Public Affairs Specialist at Wallops, and took a tour of the facility. The most up to date information on all launches can be found on the NASA Wallops Flight Facility website.As a frequent visitor of Chincoteague, I often pass by NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, looking beyond the fences, wondering what secrets are held within. Please Note: Some viewing locations may be off limits for some launches as determined by NASA for safety reasons. South OSV zone will reopen following launch or when launch is scrubbed. Sounding Rocket Launches – South OSV zone (the beach south of the parking areas) will completely close to all access 4 hours prior to the launch.Remainder of Refuge will remain open for normal operating hours. Antares Rocket Launches – launch - South OSV & hook will be closed.To view launches from the beach, stand with your back to the ocean and look towards 10:00.Follow Beach Road to Assateague Island National Seashore.Follow Maddox through the Traffic Circle and follow signs to Assateague.Continue straight at the light onto Maddox Blvd.175 across causeway and bridges to Chincoteague Island. From Rt 13, turn east at T's Corner stop light onto Chincoteague Rd/ VA-175.Explore our website for options and our Accommodations page to book your stay.įor up-to-date information on launches, please call 75 or visit the Wallops Flight Facility homepage. Chincoteague and Assateague Islands offer endless opportunities to eat, play and stay while awaiting the next window of opportunity. Many viewers will bring their own chairs or blankets but please note there are restrictions as to what can be brought onto the Visitor Center grounds.Īntares rockets, typically require the closure of the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge and Assateague Island National Seashore, Virginia due their proximity in the hazard zone.Ī variety of unforeseen circumstances may interrupt the launch schedule and cause a rocket launch to slip for a day or longer including weather, mechanical or logistical situations. The Visitor Center launch viewing area consists of two bleachers and an open field. Parking is available on a first come, first served basis. The Visitor Center is located approximately 4 miles from the launch pads with a clear view of every launch from ground to sky. The NASA Visitor Center and its grounds are open to support most launches from Wallops Island. When planning your lodging options for such launches from NASA Wallops Flight Facility, you may want to consider an accommodation overlooking the Chincoteague Channel with a western facing private balcony view as it may be the perfect location to view an early morning launch. The islands of Chincoteague and Assateague on the Eastern Shore of Virginia are perfectly positioned to offer spectacular public viewing sites (listed below) for research sounding rocket launches, as well as cargo resupply missions to the International Space Station by NASA's commercial partner Northrop Grumman aboard its Antares rocket and Cygnus spacecraft each year. NASA - From the Earth's Surface to the Moon and Beyond! ![]()
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