New NASA Rocket Launch Date Set, Can Be Seen In NJ Skies

NEW JERSEY — Garden State residents may see a rocket on its way to deploy satellites in space after it lifts off from a NASA facility in Virginia later this month.

The Electron made by Rocket Lab USA was originally scheduled to launch from Wallops Flight Facility in early December. Weather concerns and launch logistics kept people from seeing the first Electron launch from Wallops until the new year.

The update launch date and time for this project, which NASA calls “Virginia is for Launch Lovers," is Monday, Jan. 23 from 6-8 p.m.

Back-up launch dates are also scheduled, NASA said.

On the 23rd, NJ residents may be able to see the rocket from your backyard. Much of the east coast will see the 59-foot-tall rocket as it lifts off from Virginia Space’s Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island, NASA said.

"From a distance, Electron will appear like a bright, fast-moving star climbing upward through the night sky," the Wallops Flight Facility said.

Southern New Jersey residents could see the rocket for up to 90 seconds, NASA said. And those in North and Central Jersey might see it for 90-120 seconds after takeoff — if skies are clear enough.

NASA said the Electron will deploy radio frequency monitoring satellites for HawkEye 360.

"With this mission, NASA is helping foster a growing low-Earth space economy and continues Wallops' 35-year history of support to the commercial launch industry," NASA said.

A live webcast will stream at www.rocketlabusa.com/live-stream about 40 minutes before launch.