Editor’s Note: The Orbital ATK Antares launch is now targeted for 4:39 a.m. EDT, May 21. See the launch blog for status updates. Original story appears below for reference.
Experience the May 20 Antares Launch from Wallops
The NASA Wallops Flight Facility and Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport are set to support the launch of Orbital ATK’s Antares rocket at 5:04 a.m. EDT, May 20.
The Antares rocket will carry Orbital ATK’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft to the International Space Station.
The launch may be visible, weather permitting, to residents throughout the east coast of the United States.
The NASA Visitor Center at Wallops opens at 1 a.m. on launch day for public viewing. Additional locations for catching the launch are Robert Reed Park on Chincoteague Island or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands. Assateague Island National Seashore/Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will not be open for viewing the launch.
Visitors are reminded that alcohol, pets and firearms are not allowed on the NASA Visitor Center grounds.
For more information about the Visitor Center, including directions, see: https://www.nasa.gov/centers/wallops/visitorcenter
If you can’t make it to the Wallops area to view the launch you can still partake in the experience through the Wallops Mission Status Center. There you will find information about the mission and links to live countdown audio as well as live video of the launch. Live coverage of the mission is scheduled to begin at 10:30 p.m. May 19 on the Wallops video and audio Ustream sites.
The Status Center can be reached using a smartphone, computer or tablet using most web browsers including Safari, Firefox or Chrome. It currently is not compatible with Explorer.
By clicking the visibility link on the Status Center, you can find when you may be able to see the rocket in flight and use your smartphone to find the viewing direction to see the rocket streak across the early morning sky.
Launch updates will be available via the Wallops Facebook and Twitter sites:
Launch coverage on NASA TV will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT. For NASA TV streaming video, downlink and scheduling information, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
For more information about International Space Station, visit: https://www.nasa.gov/station
Get more information about Orbital ATK, its Antares rocket and the Cygnus cargo spacecraft at: https://www.nasa.gov/orbital
By Keith Koehler
NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility, Wallops Island, Va.