Virginia Space Loop

on the Eastern Shore!

Start your space exploration journey at Wallops Flight Facility.

Did you know…

Wallops Flight Facility is NASA’s only owned and operated launch range
Wallops is NASA’s home for suborbital research.
In its 75+ year history, Wallops has launched over 16,000 rockets.
Students from the Eastern Shore and across the globe are offered internship projects and opportunities to broaden their career opportunities.
Did you know Wallops launches Northrop Grumman’s Antares rocket, which resupplies the International Space Station? From the Eastern Shore to the International Space Station!

And here are some things to look forward to in 2022!

25 sounding rocket flights scheduled in 2022
14 scientific balloon flights
Several orbital launches including launching Antares to the International Space Station
Student STEM Projects and opportunities

Watching a rocket launch from Wallops? Find the best spot for viewing the launch!

NASA Visitor’s Center

The NASA Wallops Visitor Center is located at:

NASA Wallops Visitor Center
Building J-20
Wallops Island, VA 23337

The Visitor Center is located on Route 175, six miles east of US-13 and five miles west of Chincoteague Island, VA. It is a 60-minute drive south from Salisbury and Ocean City, MD and a 90-minute drive north from the Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel. Do not park on Route 175.

Museum of Chincoteague Island

7125 Maddox Blvd, Chincoteague Island, VA

From Route 13, turn east at T’s Corner stop light onto Chincoteague Rd/ VA-175
Follow Route 175 across causeway and bridges to Chincoteague Island
Continue straight at light onto Maddox Blvd.
Follow Maddox through the Traffic Circle and continue straight
The Museum is the last building on the left just before the bridge to Assateague Island.

Curtis Merritt Harbor

Curtis Merritt Harbor

2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Rd., Chincoteague Island, VA

From Route 13, turn east at T’s Corner stop light onto Chincoteague Rd/VA-175
Follow Route 175 across causeway and bridges to Chincoteague Island
Turn right at the stop light onto Main Street, heading south
The entrance to the Harbor is near the end of the road on the left

Downtown Waterfront Park

Robert N. Reed, Sr. Downtown Waterfront Park

4083 Main Street, Chincoteague Island, VA

From Route 13, turn east at T’s Corner stop light onto Chincoteague Rd/ VA-175
Follow Route 175 across causeway and bridges to Chincoteague Island
Turn right at the stop light onto Main Street, heading south
Park is approximately .5 mile on the right. Parking lot entrance is at Don’s Seafood. There may be additional parking available next to Sundial Books.

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge

Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge on Assateague Island

8231 Beach Road, Chincoteague Island, VA

From Route 13, turn east at T’s Corner stop light onto Chincoteague Rd/ VA-175
Follow Route 175 across causeway and bridges to Chincoteague Island.
Continue straight at the light onto Maddox Blvd.
Follow Maddox through the Traffic Circle and follow signs to Assateague.
Maddox Blvd becomes Beach Road.
To view launches from the beach, stand with your back to the ocean and look towards 10:00.
NOTE:
- Antares Rocket Launches – Refuge will always fully close to all access 4 hours prior to the launch. Refuge will reopen following launch or when launch is scrubbed.
- Sounding Rocket Launches – South OSV zone (the beach south of the parking areas) will completely close to all access 4 hours prior to the launch. South OSV zone will reopen following launch or when launch is scrubbed.

Waterfront Hotels & Condos

Chincoteague Waterfront Hotels & Condos

If your hotel is on the water, you can just walk out onto a porch or a pier right where you are staying and watch the launch!

Chincoteague waterfront accommodations include:

Chincoteague Comfort Suites

Key West Cottages

Hampton Inn and Suites

Rocket launches fill up hotels quickly, so be sure to book in advance!

Town of Wachapreague

Grab a drink and watch from the porch on the Island House restaurant, or head to the Wachapreague Marina for an awesome view.

Ready to explore? Check out the Virginia Space Loop locations!

Locations:

NASA Wallops Visitor Center – Building J20 Route, 175 Chincoteague Rd, Wallops Island, VA 23337

NASA Langley – 600 Settlers Landing Rd, Hampton, VA 23669

Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center – 14390 Air and Space Museum Pkwy, Chantilly, VA 20151

Science Museum of Virginia – 2500 W Broad St, Richmond, VA 23220

Virginia Air & Space Science Center – 600 Settlers Landing Rd, Hampton, VA 23669

Pretlow Planetarium – 4537 Hampton Blvd, Norfolk, VA 23529

Virginia Aquarium & Marine Science Center – 717 General Booth Blvd, Virginia Beach, VA 23451

King George County Historical Museum & Research Center – 9483E Kings Hwy, King George, VA 22485

Dahlgren Heritage Museum – 3540 James Madison Pkwy, King George, VA 22485

Learn more about watching a Wallops launch here.

Virginia's space loop website graphic (4)