NASA’s Wallops rocket launch can be seen from New Jersey, other eastern states

Keep an eye on the sky and you might spot an upcoming rocket launch at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in eastern Virginia.

Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket is scheduled to lift off at 5:56 p.m. EST on Tuesday, August 10, as part of the company’s 16th mission to deliver NASA scientific supplies, equipment and investigations to the International Space Station, NASA said.

As long as the skies are clear, the launch can be seen by people in the Mid-Atlantic and possibly other parts of the eastern United States, NASA said.

Best viewing locations

If you’re on vacation this week in Delaware, Maryland, or Virginia, the space agency recommends six vantage points in those states:

• The Wallops Visitor Center on Wallops Island, Virginia
• Chincoteague Island in Chincoteague, Virginia
• Assateague Island National Seashore in Maryland
• Ocean City in Maryland
• Delaware Seashore and Fenwick Island State Park in Delaware
• Virginia Beach in Virginia

When to look

The map above shows how many seconds after takeoff the rocket will be visible from different areas of the eastern United States.

In southern New Jersey, the best time to watch will be 60 to 90 seconds after launch, and in northern and central New Jersey, the best viewing time will be 90 to 120 seconds after takeoff.

How to watch the live broadcast

• Live coverage of the mission’s countdown is scheduled to begin around 1 p.m. Tuesday on the Wallops IBM video site.
• Coverage of the launch on NASA TV is scheduled to begin at 5:30 p.m. Tuesday.
• Launch updates will be available on the Wallops Facebook page and Punch on Twitter page.

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Len Melisurgo can be contacted at [email protected].