NASA Wallops

NASA Wallops
Originally uploaded by timmenzies.

Home on the (rocket) range.

Wallops is a small facility that tests sub-orbital sounding rockets. It used to have a much larger role. Over the years, some 14,000 rockets have taken off from here (only 15 of which were orbital). Before they launched humans from Cape Canaveral, monkeys were launched from here to prove that mammals could survive launch and space conditions.

I heard tell that the state of Virginia wants to expand the Wallops center- seems its a good place to do polar orbit launches. And that was heard at a party so it must be true.