Launch details

Electron | 6x HawkEye 360

Rocket Lab

Commercial USA

Rocket Lab Launch Complex 2 (Launch Area 0 C)

Wallops Island

Dec 30 at 07:00pm

Launchpad time-0500

Dec 31 at 12:00am

Your local time+0000

Current status

TBD

Electron

Launch vehicle

6x HawkEye 360

Mission

37.834

Latitude

-75.488

Longitude

Get notification

24 hours before launch

Get notification

1 hour before launch

Note: For all launches the scheduled launch dates and times are subject to change due to weather, equipment, crew and other factors.

Mission description

HawkEye 360 is a a space-based civil global intelligence satellite network using radio frequency (RF) technology to help monitor transportation across air, land and sea and assist with emergencies, and to provide civil SIGINT (Signal Intelligence) mission. The constellation of small satellites (named Hawk ) will collect information on specific radio signals worldwide to provide high-precision radio frequency mapping and analytics from Low Earth orbit (LEO).

6x HawkEye 360

Livestream

Attending a launch in person

Launches can be viewed 12 kilometers away at NASA's visitor center for no cost. It has an excellent view and it's free but unfortunately entry isn't guaranteed since they don't offer bookings ahead of time. It's first-come-first-served at the door so come an hour early. It's only available as an option for daytime launches within their regular business hours.

This image shows NASA's recommended viewing areas, I've circled in pink my recommendations, scroll below for more details.

Image: NASA/Jamie Adkins

There are public spots available that are actually closer to the launchpads than the visitor center. The best alternative was previously Arbuckle Neck Road but that's been closed for safety reasons. Best now would probably be:

Old Wallops Island Ferry Dock: Closest public spot, about 4 kilometers from the launchpad (compared to 12 kilometers for their visitor center).

Gargatha Landing: 9 kilometers from the launchpad. A quieter spot.

How to get there

The closest commercial airport is Salisbury-Ocean City Wicomico Regional Airport in Salisbury, Maryland.

A 1-hour drive by rental car southeast will end at Wallops Island.

Accomodation

Nearby hotels in Chincoteague.

Nearby parking

Parking available on-site.

Agency details

Rocket Lab is a private aerospace company specializing in small satellite launches. It offers cost-effective, frequent launch services with its Electron rocket. Known for its innovative Rutherford engine and the Photon satellite platform, Rocket Lab supports various commercial and government missions.