EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·Dec 9Wallops Island Update — Evening of Dec 9, 2025Lots of activity at Wallops today as they prep to receive the Stage 2 testing stand at LC-3.• Crews were out at the pad making adjustments. • The crane is up, staged, and ready for assembly. • Spotted crane parts being hauled across the causeway earlier in the day. • As the sun set, the last of the crane hardware was delivered to LC-3 — the site was buzzing. • Curious if they’ll build the crane tonight so it’s ready by morning.Hoping tomorrow we either see the stand cross the causeway, or—if we miss that moment—find it already positioned at LC-3. We’ll be checking multiple times throughout the day.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·Dec 11NASA Wallops Island Update — Dec 11, 2025• The Second Stage test stand is now sitting out front at the Neutron launch complex (LC-3).• The crane is fully built, and it even has an extra section we didn’t see at the AIC.• The stand is fully strapped and rigged, ready for the lift.• Very breezy today, so not sure whether the lift happens today or tomorrow — but they look ready either way.• LC-2 (Electron): The transport erector is vertical, likely doing checks ahead of rolling out the next Electron.If the schedule holds, the rocket should come out tomorrow or over the weekend for integration.Launch still targeted for midnight on Dec 18, window open until 4 AM, with backups through the 23rd (same times).• LP-0A (Firefly/Antares): No visible activity today.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·49mNASA Wallops Island Update — Dec 13, 2025• Pulled into the viewing spot just as the Rocket Lab Electron was being erected — an awesome sight.• A fully vertical Electron now stands at LC-2.• Over at LC-3 (Neutron), the Second Stage test stand is in place on the pad.• The crane is still up, which makes me wonder if they’re still fitting the stand or planning to install something inside it before taking the crane down.• Either way, things are clearly ramping up across Wallops.Looking ahead to the Electron launch this week — the window opens Dec 18 at midnight, and I think Rocket Lab is going to stream the launch. Even with a late-night liftoff, this one’s going to be exciting.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpacefltNASA Wallops Island Update — Dec 15, 2025• When I arrived, I was surprised to see the Electron rocket still vertical at LC-2.• Normally it’s lowered after day one and raised again on launch day, but it looks like they’re doing cryo testing ahead of the midnight launch on Dec 18.• It was pretty cool to catch a frosty Electron without it being launch day.• LC-3 (Neutron): The crane is still on-site, though some sections have been taken down. The Second Stage test stand remains secured and looks solid.• Activity here is lighter at the moment.• LP-0A (Antares / Firefly): No visible activity today.A quieter check-in, but still some interesting prep underway.
NASA’s Scientific Balloon Program is back in Antarctica for another long-duration scientific balloon campaign, with two launches planned from the icy surface. Launch operations will begin early December from the agency’s facility located near the U.S. National Science Foundation’s McMurdo Station on the Ross Ice Shelf.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·17hNASA Wallops Island Update — Dec 20, 2025• Yesterday’s rain and wind were pretty intense, so I did a follow-up check today.• It’s quiet across the pads — and it is a Saturday.• LP-0A (Antares / Firefly): no visible activity.• LC-2 (Electron): also quiet from what we can see.• LC-3 (Neutron): no workers visible on the stand, but two cranes are up (not extended).• Important reminder: the trees and brush in front of LC-3 hide a lot of ground-level work — just because we don’t see it on the stand doesn’t mean nothing’s happening. That area was very busy during the recent Electron launch.• Swung by the AIC as well — the blue transport trailer is still there, but the truck that pulls it is gone.Even with the holidays coming up, I’ll keep checking in from time to time to see what changes.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·NASA Wallops Island Update — Dec 22, 2025• LP-0A (Antares / Firefly): Very quiet today — not much visible work.• LC-2 (Electron): Also quiet from what we can see.• LC-3 (Neutron): Some solid activity despite the holidays.• A boom lift was raised nearly to the top of the Second Stage test stand, with workers moving around the structure.• Another boom lift was up on the right side near the light poles — possibly installing cameras or additional lighting.• Even this close to the holidays, Rocket Lab isn’t slowing down.• Caught a short video clip of the work at the Neutron pad.4K Video Here:
NASA Wallops@NASAWallops·Throughout 2025, Wallops played a key role in enabling national security missions at our launch range for commercial partners and other government agencies, such as Rocket Lab’s HASTE vehicle used for hypersonic test flights. In 2026, we are looking forward to strengthening these partnerships and continuing to play our role in advancing national security.
NASA Wallops@NASAWallopsThree sounding rockets launched this summer from Wallops to study a super-cold layer of Earth's atmosphere. The rockets released vapor clouds and used laser technology to study how air moves and creates turbulence at the edge of space. https://go.nasa.gov/4qqt9nK
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·NASA Wallops Island Update — December 31, 2025Happy New Year’s Eve! This will be my last Wallops update for 2025.As expected during the holidays, everything has been very quiet out at Wallops Island over the past week and a half. I did take a moment to snap a few photos of the launch pads and the causeway — a calm, peaceful way to wrap up the year.I hope everyone has a safe and happy New Year, and I’m really looking forward to seeing activity pick back up in Q1 of 2026. There’s a lot to be excited about heading into the new year.
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·NASA Wallops Island Update — Jan 2, 2026• Another quiet day at Wallops to start the new year.• No visible activity at LP-0A, LC-2, or LC-3 during today’s check.• Didn’t spot any workers out at the pads, and traffic to and from the island was light.• That said, this lull likely won’t last long — especially with hardware recently spotted up in Middle River, Maryland.For now, Wallops is taking a breath… but things are getting lined up.
NASA has selected ARES Technical Services Corporation of McLean, Virginia, to provide launch range operations support at the agency’s Wallops Flight Facility in Virginia.The Wallops Range Contract has a total potential value of $339.8 million with a one-year base period expected to begin Tuesday, Feb. 10, and four one-year option periods that if exercised would extend it to 2031. The contract includes a cost-plus-fixed-fee core with an indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity component and the ability to issue cost-plus-fixed-fee or firm-fixed-price task orders.The scope of the work includes launch range operations support such as radar, telemetry, logistics, tracking, and communications services for flight vehicles including orbital and suborbital rockets, aircraft, satellites, balloons, and unmanned aerial systems. Additional responsibilities include information and computer systems services; testing, modifying, and installing communications and electronic systems at launch facilities, launch control centers, and test facilities; and range technology sustainment engineering services.Work will primarily occur at NASA Wallops with additional support at sites such as the agency’s Bermuda Tracking Station, Poker Flat Research Range in Alaska, and other temporary duty locations.For information about NASA and agency programs, visit:https://www.nasa.gov/-end-
EasternShoreSpaceflight@EShoreSpaceflt·NASA Wallops Island Update — Jan 8, 2026Nice day overall, though clouds rolled in and stole the sun this afternoon.• The island was buzzing with activity, especially construction noise from work on the new causeway leading to the pads.• LP-0A (Firefly/Antares): Pad modifications and upgrades continue.• LC-2 (Electron): The transport erector is down, but still visible at the pad.• LC-3 (Neutron): Work continues — spotted technicians on top of the Second Stage test stand and on the pad itself.• Also noted: the crane that had been parked in front of LC-3 has been moved.
Virginia Spaceport Authority@Virginia_Space·The Virginia Spaceport Authority on Wallops Island supports a wide range of launch vehicles and mission profiles through its four launch pads and integration facilities. These capabilities allow for a flexible, low-congestion, and safety-focused launch environment.
