NASA’s Wallops Island launch range draws a big crowd with every Northrop Grumman Antares/Cygnus launch to resupply the International Space Station. People come from all over the country to watch Wallops launch its biggest rocket from Virginia’s Mid-Atlantic Spaceport Pad 0A.
Among the mass of spectators that visit is a core group of dedicated regulars who come to every launch and take photos with remote cameras. Some of these photographers are so industrious they set up several cameras from different points of view.
For safety reasons, a remote camera on the launch range has to be set up the day before launch as it’s placed in area not accessible during launch: the immediate area around the launch pad. The camera is usually anchored down to withstand the force and vibration of lift-off.
The camera shutters are activated by a trigger. Some cameras are on timed triggers that are synced with the countdown to start taking pictures at lift-off. However, most remote cameras are set up with acoustic triggers that actuate by the sound of the rocket motors firing.
What follows are a number of remote camera pictures from photographers throughout the aerospace industry who came to Wallops to document the Feb. 15 Antares launch. (Photos used with permission.)
Header Image Credit: Woody Poole
