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Wallops Island
Wallops Island located in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia has
had numerous changes throughout its history. The island's original primitive
lands are now occupied by NASA and known as the Wallops Island Flight Facility, one
of only two launch facilities in the country. The other being Cape Canaveral Florida.
The island was originally owned by John Wallop who today would be self made
millionaire. He acquired the land through the English Crown from providing assistance
in establishing the new colony of Virginia. In 1889, the island was sold to a
handful of wealthy
families from Pennsylvania that converted it into a vacation destination for hunters.
They erected an impressive hunt clubhouse on the north end of the island.
In 1945, the island was sold to NASA. They transformed the island into the
Flight Facility. The center was developed for high-tech rockets,
missiles, and research for space travel. The Tiamat missiles or MX-570 were the
first type of rocket to be launched from the facility. Aerodynamic and hurricane
research were also performed. The facility has helped the
evolution of the American space program. Today, the island is still used by
NASA and they continue to have rocket launches and research programs to benefit
our space programs, including the effort to make it to Mars.
Check out the Official Wallops
Launch Events webpage. There is an events schedule and webcast of launches.
During launches, parts of the Seaside Water Trail
may not be safe should a launch fail.
Do not paddle within the potential crash areas.
 Picture of Launch, NASA. |
Notes: HomeOfficial Trail Guide Web Site The Other Historic Site Guides: Historic Site Guide North Accomack - Chincoteague and Assateague IslandHistoric Site Guide Northampton - Willis Wharf to Eastern Shore Wildlife Refuge
The Trail was developed by the Accomack -
Northampton Planning District Commission in cooperation with Accomack County,
Northampton County, the Town of Chincoteague, the Town of Wachapreague, the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration and
the Virginia Coastal Zone Management Program. It is a project of Virginia's Seaside Heritage Program,
a multi-year effort to restore living resources and promote sustainable ecotourism
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. |
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