NASA Rocket Launch From Wallops Island Delayed: When To Watch

WALLOPS ISLAND, VA — You may be able to spy a rocket in the skies over Virginia this week as it lifts off from a NASA facility in Virginia, after a weather delay pushed the launch over a week.

The Electron made by Rocket Lab USA was originally scheduled to launch from Wallops Flight Facility on Dec. 9. But, weather concerns caused the facility in eastern Virginia to postpone the launch.

Rocket Lab posted at 5:55 p.m. Sunday that the facility said high winds had caused a hold. "Upper-level winds are currently no-go at T-0, but we have until 8pm to launch tonight so we're proceeding with the count. Join us live as we count down to lift-off (and think good weather thoughts for us while you're at it!)"

Just before 8 p.m. the launch was delayed. "Well, the team put up a good fight but unfortunately those upper-level winds got the better of us today and we’re standing down from launch. We have a back-up opportunity tomorrow, Dec 19, so we'll see you back here soon for the next attempt."

Marylanders can follow Rocket Lab on Twitter for real time launch updates.

This is the first Rocket Lab USA Electron launch from Wallops, NASA said, and they've nicknamed this project “Virginia is for Launch Lovers."

On launch day, you may be able to see the rocket from your backyard — NASA says 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.

Some Virginia residents might see the Electron rising for more than two minutes.

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

Coastal Virginia residents could see the rocket for up to 60 seconds, NASA said, while those in Northern Virginia and the Richmond area might see it for 90 seconds after takeoff — if skies are clear enough in both locations. Viewing in the Charlottesville region should last up to 2 minutes.

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.

The Electron rocket launch can be viewed from Chincoteague Island, including Robert Reed Park on Main Street or Beach Road spanning the area between Chincoteague and Assateague Islands, Delmarva Now reported. The Virginia and Maryland Atlantic beaches also provide good viewing locations.

A live webcast will stream about 40 minutes before launch.