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About Wallops

Aerial view of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility's launch range structures along the coastline of Wallops Island, Virginia. Ocean, bay and marsh lands surround the range.

In 2026, NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility transitioned under the management of the agency’s Kennedy Space Center to unify and strengthen the nation’s launch capabilities. Under NASA Kennedy’s operational leadership, NASA Wallops now serves as an extension of the Eastern Range, specializing as a premier launch destination for small, medium, and intermediate-lift launch vehicles. By leveraging NASA Kennedy’s expertise in managing a multi-user spaceport, NASA Wallops will partner with commercial industry, Virginia Spaceport Authority, and the Department of War to accelerate the launch cadence at NASA Wallops.
 
This collaborative approach embraces an “enabling science through commercialization” strategy, ensuring that booming commercial launch demands drive the infrastructure and innovation needed to support NASA’s scientific and exploration missions. Ultimately, this new chapter transforms Wallops into a highly responsive, competitive spaceport that expands access to space, strengthens national security, and fuels economic growth to launch the next era of American space leadership.

Quick Facts

The Tiamat missile was the first research mission launched from Wallops Island on July 4, 1945, but the first actual launch occurred from June 27, 1945.

The Tiamat missile was the first research mission launched from Wallops Island on July 4, 1945, but the first actual launch occurred from June 27, 1945.

The Explorer IX mission launched on a Scout rocket Feb. 16, 1961, carried the first scientific satellite to orbit from Wallops.

The Explorer IX mission launched on a Scout rocket Feb. 16, 1961, carried the first scientific satellite to orbit from Wallops.

Wallops supported the first human spaceflight program, Project Mercury, by launching Rhesus monkeys aboard Little Joe rockets to study the effects of stress during spaceflight.

Wallops supported the first human spaceflight program, Project Mercury, by launching Rhesus monkeys aboard Little Joe rockets to study the effects of stress during spaceflight.

Wallops Flight Facility is NASA’s only owned and operated launch range and research airport.

Wallops Flight Facility is NASA’s only owned and operated launch range and research airport.

Information for the Wallops Island Area Residents

Aerial image of NASA's Wallops Flight Facility main base, with two long air strips with buildings surrounding it.

Latest on PFAS at Wallops

Wallops, in collaboration with local, state, and federal agencies, is conducting testing of the facility's groundwater monitoring and drinking water wells for the presence of PFAS.

Multiple E-2 planes lined up on a runway.

Field Carrier Landing Practice at Wallops

The U.S. Navy's Field Carrier Landing Practice (FCLP) at Wallops provides naval aviators critical, real-world training before landing on an aircraft carrier.

A drone in flight against blue skies.

Drone Guidance for Launches

Drone operators are being urged to exercise caution if using their aircraft to view the Antares rocket launch and avoid flying over the public and NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility property.

Blue, green and white circular vapor tracers from a sounding rocket launch in the night sky. The

Vapor Tracers

Vapor tracer payloads are used to measure atmospheric winds and/or ion drifts in the upper atmosphere and ionosphere.

Learn more about NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility

Jason Kessler talks to a camera during an interview, with a golden instrument behind them.

Media Resources

Staff in Wallops' Office of Communications maintain this website on behalf of the center.

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FOIA Requests

Enacted in 1966, the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) provides that any person has a right, enforceable in court, to obtain access to federal agency records, except to the extent that such records (or portions of them) are protected from public disclosure by one of nine exemptions or by one of three special law enforcement record exclusions.

Keep Exploring

Discover More Topics From Wallops

Wallops Range

Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center

Kennedy Space Center

Wallops Launch Schedule