October 15, 2023
Are you fascinated with the wonders of our universe and curious about outer space? Then make your way to the NASA Wallops Visitor Center located on Wallops Island, Virginia. This unique facility offers visitors a chance to experience the thrill of space exploration first-hand, with a range of interactive exhibits, group tours, virtual and on-site field trips, and much more. Whether you’re a traveler, vacationer, or homeschool family, you’ll find plenty of things to do and see at the Wallops Visitor Center. So, let’s dive in!
History of NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility
Since its establishment in 1945, the Wallops Flight Facility has been a hub of rocket launches, sending over 16,000 missions into the skies. These missions carry science experiments, cutting-edge technology, and valuable satellites. Not limited to rockets alone, Wallops is NASA’s primary location for conducting research utilizing aircraft, balloons, and “suborbital vehicles”.
Additionally, their partnership with the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) allows for orbital launches. To explore the rich history and promising future of Wallops and NASA, visit the Visitor Center and engage with interactive exhibits. The best part…it’s all free!!!
Plan Your Visit to The Wallops Visitor Center
Planning your visit to the Wallops Visitor Center is easy and straightforward. You can visit the facility during its regular operational hours, Tuesday to Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. You can reserve a group tour with your friends, family, or colleagues for an in-depth exploration of the facility, exhibits, and artifacts.
The group tour is perfect for schools, clubs, or any organization that wants a tailored experience. You can also book a specialized tour, such as the Launch Tour, that grants you access to a prime viewing location during rocket launches.
Launch Viewing Tips
They have provided some helpful tips for viewing a launch. Since there are many factors that go into a launch…it is always subject to change and even at the last minute. Click here to read more so you have a good expectation of what you are getting into.
Field Trip Options At Wallops
At the NASA Wallops Visitor Center, virtual and on-site field trips are a popular option for both children and adults. The virtual field trip allows you to connect with subject experts through video conferencing and explore select interactive exhibits while in your classroom or living room. See a guide here on how to set up a virtual field trip!
The on-site field trip, on the other hand, offers you a chance to engage with different exhibits and participate in various educational activities. You can learn about contemporary space missions, spacecraft technology, space travel history, and more.
Homeschool Program at Wallops
For homeschoolers, the Wallops Visitor Center offers an exciting package deal. The center’s Homeschool Program provides a unique learning experience for students, allowing them to explore, innovate, and investigate space exploration concepts through interactive workshops, tours, and self-directed learning activities.
Through this program, students can earn skill badges, conduct scientific experiments, and learn about careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Click here for more information.
Exploring Space at NASA Wallops Visitor Center
Exploring space and outer space technology is an exciting, fascinating, and awe-inspiring experience. The Wallops Visitor Center offers you a chance to learn about it all through group tours, specialized tours, launch viewings, virtual and on-site field trips, and specialized homeschooling programs. Plan your visit today, and experience the thrill of space exploration like never before.
More Stories
Thanks for reading all about the Wallops Visitor Center. Click here and you will find a lot more articles on the region.
