NASA Rocket Launch Thursday visible to those in Mid-Atlantic region, will carry student experiments into space
- Lori Lee WGOLV
- Jun 25
- 3 min read
Updated: Jul 2
WALLOPS ISLAND, Va. - NASA plans to launch a sounding rocket from Wallops Island later this week, providing skywatchers in the Mid-Atlantic region an opportunity to see the vehicle as it transports student-designed experiments into suborbital space.
The launch window is set for 5:30 to 9:30 a.m. EDT, starting Thursday, June 26, 2025, and continuing daily until Sunday, June 29, weather permitting.
NASA will live stream the mission on the Wallops YouTube channel beginning 15 minutes before launch on each day the window is active.
What will the rocket carry?
The rocket will transport payloads from college students involved in NASA's RockOn! and RockSat-C programs, which provide hands-on experience in designing experiments for suborbital flights. This launch offers students a unique chance to gather real-world data from a spaceflight setting.
NASA’s sounding rockets briefly reach space before returning to Earth and are used for scientific research and technology testing at altitudes between 60 and 120 miles.
Visibility Across the Region
Weather permitting, residents across the Mid-Atlantic and parts of the Northeast may be able to spot the rocket in the sky moments after launch.
NASA has released a visibility map showing when viewers in each region will have a line-of-sight view of the rocket at 3° elevation or higher.
Green areas (including parts of the Eastern Shore and Southern Maryland) may see the rocket within 10 seconds of liftoff.
Blue zones—including Washington, D.C., Baltimore, and Philadelphia—can expect visibility within 10 to 30 seconds.
Purple regions, such as central Pennsylvania and parts of North Carolina, may see the rocket 30 to 40 seconds after launch.
NASA recommends looking toward the southeastern horizon and encourages the public to tune in to the live broadcast for the full mission experience. If you're able to view it, it could be a stunning visual for early risers and marks another milestone in NASA’s efforts to inspire the next generation of engineers, scientists, and innovators.
For updates and viewing links, visit https://www.nasa.gov/wallops.
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