Wallops Island Va NASA Launch Viewing?

Question

Over the past years, I watched 4 shuttle launches from the informal viewing & camping area along the causeway north of Titusville, Fl. This is normally a 'no camping' area, but the rule wasn't enforced at launch times. I once stayed there three nights, waiting on a delayed night launch. It would turn into quite an RV circus by launch day, with over a mile of roadside looking like this:

Now they're launching smaller, less spectacular but still to-orbit commercial stuff from Wallops Island. Are there any similar viewing areas there, or expected to develop?

Jim, "Isn't 'rise and shine' an oxymoron?"

bill___kate · Answer

You can see the Whallops launches pretty well from here on the Jersey Cape Shore - especially at night - but they are not as nearly as impressive as the space shuttle launches. I would expect the Assateague Island campgrounds would offer a great view ....

Or the campgrounds near Chincoteague are even closer and sort of down range ...

royb · Answer

Looks like there is a couple of close by STATE PARKS on the DOVER side...

Wallops Isl launch pad is near Temperanceville, VA

We have seen a night launch here in Northern Neck VA a coupe of times but you have to look hard to see it hehe... I was listening to the count down over the internet and looked and looked for it but didnt see it go this time...

Roy Ken

ependydad · Answer

Looks like there's a nice collection of campgrounds in the area (even a Thousand Trails park about an hour south):
Google/Maps results

I don't know if there are any parking areas like you seem to want, though. I'm not even sure where to find that kind of info but please post if you find out. I'd LOVE to do this.

clouddriver · Answer

There was a launch from Wallops a couple of months back that sent a satellite to study the moon.  We were easily able to see it from the boardwalk at Spring Lake on the New Jersey shore.  Only a few miles from home and we didn't have to worry about a launch cancellation due to weather or other issue.  IIRC the launch was visible from most of the east coast.

d___m · Answer

There is a causeway that crosses Shelly Bay right outside the NASA visitor's Center but I can't remember if they let you park and camp along there.

How ever the NASA facility is only about 10 miles and less as the crow flies from Tom's Cove campground, and a couple of others in Chincoteague, VA. See the launch great from there.

Google maps

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Wallops Island Va NASA Launch Viewing?

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