How and Where to Watch Rocket Lab’s Electron Launch from Wallops — Nov. 16 (Window: 7:45 a.m.–1 p.m. ET)

Rocket Lab plans an Electron launch from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility on Sunday, Nov. 16 (with a backup day the following day). The launch window runs from 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET. This article explains what to expect, where to watch in person and online, and key travel and viewing tips.

What’s launching

Rocket Lab is targeting a liftoff of its 59-foot-tall Electron rocket from Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport on Wallops Island. Electron can carry roughly 661 pounds (300 kg) to orbit and is Rocket Lab’s dependable small-launch vehicle for commercial and civil payloads.

A modified Electron is also used for Rocket Lab’s HASTE suborbital flights — hypersonic missions that travel at about five times the speed of sound. The next HASTE mission is named VAN, but Rocket Lab has not published full mission details.

When and where

The FAA operations-plan advisory indicates Nov. 16 as the target date, with a backup opportunity the next day. Tracking sites list the planned launch window as 7:45 a.m. to 1 p.m. ET and say the rocket is expected to fly on an easterly trajectory. Wallops Flight Facility sits on Wallops Island about 100 miles northeast of Norfolk and roughly a five-hour drive east of Staunton.

Public viewing at Wallops

NASA’s Wallops Visitor Center — the only on-site public viewing point with clear sightlines to the pads — is located about four miles from the launch complex. At the time of this advisory, no public viewing has been scheduled there for this Rocket Lab mission. When public viewings are offered, they are free and guests may sit on provided bleachers or bring chairs and blankets to an adjacent open field. The last time the Visitor Center hosted public viewing was Aug. 12.

Best off-site viewing locations

Many spectators choose nearby public beaches, parks and waterfronts. Popular spots recommended by the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce and the Virginia Spaceport Authority include:

• Chincoteague Island (about 15 miles east of Wallops): Queen’s Sound Landing (Route 175 causeway), Curtis Merritt Harbor (2246 Curtis Merritt Harbor Road), Robert Reed Waterfront Park (4083 Main St.) and the Museum of Chincoteague Island (7125 Maddox Blvd.).
• Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge (8231 Beach Road): a 14,000-acre refuge with open views (spectators often stand with their backs to the ocean).
• Assateague Island National Seashore (Virginia and Maryland entrances): undeveloped beaches with wide views; note that the island is known for roaming wild horses and has limited parking and facilities.
• Virginia Beach (about 70 miles south): can be a good viewing point for launches on a southerly trajectory.
• Ocean City, Maryland (about 40 miles north) and Delaware Seashore State Park (about 65 miles north): recommended for northern trajectories and for night launches when visible.

Visibility depends on the rocket’s flight path, weather, and local restrictions. Observe posted parking rules and any temporary closures on causeways or park roads.

Live streams and media

NASA’s Wallops YouTube channel sometimes livestreams sounding-rocket missions launched by the agency, but NASA does not routinely stream commercial launches from Wallops. NASA+ may occasionally provide coverage; check program listings. For Rocket Lab missions, monitor Rocket Lab’s official channels and the FAA advisory for the latest updates.

About Rocket Lab and Wallops

Rocket Lab, founded in 2006 and based in Long Beach, California, operates multiple launch pads across New Zealand and the United States. It now has two pads at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport at Wallops. Launch Complex 3 at Wallops became operational on Aug. 28 and will support Rocket Lab’s medium-lift Neutron rocket, whose maiden flight is currently expected in Q1 2026 (the company’s earlier 2025 timeline is now unlikely).

Wallops Flight Facility, established in 1945 and managed by NASA Goddard, supports scientific, military and commercial launches including sounding rockets, small satellites and high-altitude balloons. It partners with the Virginia Spaceport and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport to host commercial tenants such as Rocket Lab.

Tips for spectators

• Confirm the final launch date and time via the FAA advisory and Rocket Lab before traveling.
• Check weather forecasts and coastal visibility; haze, fog or clouds can obscure launches.
• Arrive early to secure parking and an unobstructed view; be prepared for limited facilities at some beaches and refuges.
• Follow all posted signs, park rules and instructions from local officials; do not block roadways or private property.

For more local updates and potential viewing arrangements, consult the Wallops Visitor Center, the Chincoteague Chamber of Commerce, the Virginia Spaceport Authority, and Rocket Lab’s official channels.

Reporter: Eric Lagatta, Space Connect. For questions about this story, contact Rocket Lab or the Wallops Visitor Center for the latest public-viewing information.