Wallops Flight Facility
Goodard Space Flight Center
NASA Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility, located on Virginia’s Eastern Shore, was established in 1945 by the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics. Normal operating hours are Monday through Friday, 6 AM to 6 PM. The Wallops operator can be reached at 757-824-1000. For up to date information on launches and other events affecting the base, call 757-824-2050.
Built to conduct aeronautical research using rocket-propelled vehicles, Wallops launched its first rocket on July 4, 1945. Since then, WFF has fulfilled its mission with the launch of more than 14,000 rockets.
Over the years, the launch range has grown to include six launch pads, assembly facilities and state-of-the-art instrumentation. In addition, the mobile launch facilities enable scientists and engineers to launch rockets around the world. The science dictates the launch site; WFF provides the expertise and instrumentation to launch, track, acquire data and recover the payload.
Wallops philosophy-then and now-is to provide a fast, low-cost and highly flexible response to meet the needs of America's aerospace technology community and science researchers. In addition to supporting NASA's bright stars-Project Mercury, Project Gemini, Project Apollo, and the Space Shuttle missions-WFF has a proud history of partnering with a diverse customer base to support and launch small projects that contribute significantly to Earth and space science.
The Wallops Visitor Center is open Thursday through Monday, 10 AM to 4 PM. Admission is free. The center is located on VA 175 near Chincoteague Island. For information call 757-824-2298 or 757-824-1344.
Information on WFF is NASA information. For more information go to www.nasa.gov.
