NASA Launch Could Be Visible from Baltimore
May 17, 2018, Wallops Island, VA – Despite rain over the region, the Antares Rocket with Cygnus Space Craft on-board rolled out to launch pad 0A at the Wallops Space Flight Facility on Thursday night in preparation for the OA-9 Mission.
The OA-9 mission is Orbital ATK’s contractual Commercial Resupply Services (CRS) mission to carry cargo to the International Space Station (ISS).
The first launch attempt was scheduled for Sunday, May 20 at 5:04 a.m. EDT. However, officials have now moved that launch to Monday, May 21 at 4:39 a.m. EDT. Weather permitting, officials say the launch can be visible across the East coast of the United States including as far inland as Baltimore.
Mariners and Aviators (including drone operators) should be aware of notices from officials regarding restricted airspace and waterways surrounding Wallops Island, Va. Assateague Island National Seashore and Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge in Virginia will be closed and will not be available for viewing the launch.
The visitor center at Wallops Space Flight Center will open to the public at 1 a.m. EDT.
Launch coverage on streaming online from NASA TV will begin at 4:30 a.m. EDT at http://www.nasa.gov/nasatv
UPDATE: Friday, May 18, 2018 – NASA has released a statement delaying the launch.
“Orbital ATK in conjunction with NASA, has moved the Antares and Cygnus launch to NET Monday, May 21st at 4:39 a.m. EDT to support further pre-launch inspections and more favorable weather conditions. Monday shows an 80% probability of acceptable weather for launch.”
(Featured Photo – November 12, 2017, NASA Wallops Space Flight Facility, Wallops Island, VA – An Orbital ATK Antares rocket for mission OA-8 sits on a launch pad at NASA Wallops Space Flight Facility. OA-8 is a resupply mission for the International Space Station (ISS). (Mike Jordan/BPE Staff Photographer))
Michael Jordan is originally from New York. Mike moved to the Baltimore / D.C. area in the early 90’s. Having attended grade school through high school in Maryland, Mike considers himself a native Marylander with a side of New Yorker.
“With a passion for photography and interest in news, photojournalism is a good fit for me.”