Scheduled NASA Virginia rocket launch potentially visible on the East Coast
The Antares rocket has been postponed again and is now scheduled to blast off Monday, October 17 at 7:40 p.m. at NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility near Chincoteague Island, Virginia.
Ability to see the launch may be possible throughout the Mid-Atlantic, depending on location, elevation and local weather conditions.
The rocket will carry Orbital Sciences Corporation’s Cygnus cargo spacecraft, loaded with approximately 5,100 pounds of cargo to the International Space Station, according to a NASA release.
Weather permitting, the launch will be visible in New Jersey, according to a NOAA map.
At the Jersey Shore, the rocket’s flames and smoke will become visible to the south/southeast at 15 degrees (southern beaches) and 10 degrees (northern beaches) above the horizon about three minutes after the launch. Consider finding a dark location.
Be sure to monitor Wallops Flight Facility on Facebook for up-to-the-minute launch information.
This shows the rocket’s trajectory as seen from the Jersey Shore. This image was taken directly from NASA’s Wallop smartphone app that allows you to view the trajectory in Google Earth.
Mission: ISS Cargo ResupplyLaunch Vehicle: AntaresDate: Monday, Oct 17, 2016Time: 7:40 p.m. EDT
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