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Wallops Flight Facility

Launch updates from NASA's Wallops Flight Facility.

Viewing Posts from December 2025

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    Second Scientific Balloon for NASA Launches from Antarctica

    A camp sits outside of a circular launch area carved into the snow-covered landscape of Antarctica.

    The second scientific balloon flight for NASA’s Antarctic scientific balloon campaign has reached its float altitude of 120,000 feet after lifting off from the agency’s facility located near the U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf at 5:56 a.m. NZST, Saturday, Dec. 20 (11:56 a.m., Friday, Dec. 19 in U.S. Eastern […]

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    NASA Wallops Launch Range to Support Electron Launch 

    Rocket Lab's 59-foot Electron rocket at the company's Launch Complex-2 on NASA's Wallops Island.

    A Rocket Lab Electron rocket is scheduled to launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia during a window extending from Dec. 18-23, 12-4 a.m. EST each night. This launch supports the United States Space Force.   The rocket launch may be visible from the Chesapeake Bay region. A launch livestream will be provided by Rocket Lab on […]

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    First NASA Scientific Balloon Launches from Antarctica

    A man in a yellow safety vest looks at a scientific balloon in the distance. In the foreground is the GAPS payload hanging from a crane preparing for launch.

    The first scientific balloon flight of this year’s NASA Antarctica Balloon Campaign reached its float altitude after lifting off from the agency’s facility located near the U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf at 5:30 a.m. NZST, Tuesday, Dec 16 (11:30 a.m., Monday, Dec. 15 in U.S. Eastern Time). The balloon […]

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    Two NASA Scientific Balloon Launches Planned From Antarctica

    A large scientific balloon payload is being lifted by a black crane against a bright blue Antarctic sky. The payload consists of multiple tiers of white protective panels or covers arranged in a cylindrical configuration, with solar panels visible on the top section and various antennas protruding upward. The equipment is suspended by cables and positioned over a wheeled transport cart on the snow-covered ground. A technician in a bright yellow safety vest operates the crane from an elevated platform on the left side of the image

    NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program is back in Antarctica for another long-duration scientific balloon campaign, with two launches planned from the icy surface. Launch operations will begin early December from the agency’s facility located near the U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf. To follow the missions, visit NASA’s Columbia Scientific Balloon […]

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