NASA Rocket Launch May Be Visible In NJ Skies Tuesday: See Where

NEW JERSEY — A NASA rocket launch planned for Tuesday may be visible in New Jersey skies as it takes off from a launch pad in Virginia for a resupply mission to the International Space Station, said NASA.

The Antares rocket will carry research and supplies to the International Space Station via the Cygnus spacecraft, according to NASA.. This 139-foot-tall rocket is manufactured by Northrop Grumman, which is targeting 8:31 p.m. Tuesday for the launch from the Wallops Flight Facility.

“Northrop Grumman’s 19th contracted cargo resupply mission with NASA to the International Space Station will deliver more than 8,200 pounds of science and research, crew supplies and vehicle hardware to the orbital laboratory and its crew,” said NASA.

As of 4 p.m. Tuesday, weather for the mission appears favorable, and NASA's Wallops Flight Facility has been counting down the hours until liftoff. Antares will have "fresh fruit, a pizza kit, and assorted cheeses for the astronauts" on board — as well as research from a number of experiments, NASA said.

Many residents in the Mid-Atlantic should be able to see the rocket in the first few minutes after lift off, if weather conditions are favorable. It will appear in the skies to the southeast, as it lifts off from Wallops Island.

In New Jersey, residents are expected to have a line-of-sight view of Antares between 60 seconds and 150 seconds after takeoff.

Residents in South Jersey can see the rocket approximately 60-90 seconds after takeoff. Those in Central Jersey and much of North Jersey may be able to see Antares between 90 seconds and two minutes after takeoff.

And, those in far northern portions of Bergen, Passaic, and Sussex counties could possibly see the rocket in the sky between two minutes and 150 seconds after liftoff, said NASA.

Live coverage of the rocket launch will air on NASA Television and the agency’s website, as well as YouTube, Twitter, and the NASA App.