Welcome to the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) located
at NASA-Goddard Space Flight Center’s Wallops Flight Facility
on the Eastern Shore of Virginia. The Mid-Atlantic Regional
Spaceport, and it’s corporate partner DynSpace LLC, in
partnership with NASA, offers a "one stop shopping"
place for low cost, safe, reliable, user friendly space launch
facilities and services for commercial, Government and scientific/academic
users, both foreign and domestic. Capabilities include suborbital
and orbital missions with payloads of up to 8,500 pounds on
solid, liquid or hybrid fueled vehicles. Optimal orbital inclinations
are between 38 and 60 degrees, with other trajectory options,
including polar and retrograde, achievable with in-flight maneuvering.
MARS offers the additional advantages of exemption from Virginia
sales and use taxes for business sponsored by the Virginia Commercial
Space Flight Authority, and Foreign Trade Zone status for activities
conducted by MARS at the Wallops Flight Facility.
The Wallops Flight Facility supports a wide variety of projects
for a diverse customer base. These projects range from small
rockets, balloons and aircraft, to orbital spacecraft. Services
include project management, engineering, fabrication, testing,
and operational support.
Bounded by the Atlantic Ocean on the east and the Chesapeake
Bay on the West, the Eastern Shore is a quiet place of great
natural beauty. A rich history graces the area with numerous
historic homes, churches, museums, and landmarks inviting visitors
to explore the past. Major festivals and events are stage annually
by local communities to celebrate the heritage of the area.
The outdoorsman will find excellent fishing, crabbing, camping,
hunting, boating, sailing and swimming. A short distance to
the north, Ocean City, Maryland, offers all the attractions
of a seaside resort with a convention center providing name
entertainment, concerts, and cultural events. The area colleges
and the Salisbury Civic Center stage concerts and athletic and
cultural events.
This document will acquaint you with facilities, services,
and activities available at Wallops and surrounding communities
for your off-duty hours.
We hope your stay on the Eastern Shore proves worthwhile both
professionally and personally.
Location
The Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, Wallops Flight Facility,
is located in Accomack County on the Eastern Shore of Virginia,
5 miles south of the Maryland state line, and is part of the
Delmarva Peninsula (Delaware, Maryland, Virginia). The facility
is approximately 90 miles north of Norfolk, Virginia, and 160
miles southeast of Washington, DC.
NASA Wallops consists of 6,200 acres divided among three separate
parcels of real property – the Main Base, Wallops Island,
and the Wallops Mainland. The Main Base is home to MARS office
and to most of NASA’s administrative, engineering, fabrication,
testing, and project management activities, as well as the Research
Airport and Range Control Center. The Mainland and Wallops Island
are located approximately 7 miles to the southeast, adjacent
to the Atlantic Ocean. Wallops Island is the site of the Wallops
Launch Range, MARS Spaceport pads, and many supporting facilities.
Visitors/Security
Bldg. N-127 on the Main Base, next to the gate is where you
will obtain visitor passes for the MARS/NASA Wallops. All visitors
and customers that will be working at the MARS/WFF will require
badges. The MARS office will submit the appropriate requests
to the NASA WFF Security office. Personnel need to submit names,
citizenship, company, and date(s) of visit for each visitor/customer.
Submit at least 1 week before site visit. Foreign nationals
will require additional time for processing through NASA Security.
Please send those names at least 3 threes weeks before expected
site visit. Generally, most individuals that are visiting will
be under the escort of a permanent badged member of the MARS/NASA
WFF. Customers requiring unescorted access while performing
work at the MARS will be required to submit their information
two weeks in advance of arrival.
Nearby East Coast cities:
| City |
Road Miles |
Approximate Driving Time |
| Wilmington, Delaware |
142 |
2.8 Hours |
| Dover, Delaware |
108 |
2.2 Hours |
| Washington, DC* |
160 |
3.2 Hours |
| Salisbury, Maryland |
42 |
0.8 Hours |
| Annapolis, Maryland* |
125 |
2.5 Hours |
| Ocean City, Maryland |
50 |
1.0 Hours |
| Baltimore, Maryland* |
143 |
2.9 Hours |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
170 |
3.4 Hours |
| Atlantic City, New Jersey |
209 |
4.2 Hours |
| Norfolk, Virginia** |
90 |
2.2 Hours |
| Williamsburg, Virginia** |
133 |
3.0 Hours |
| Richmond, Virginia** |
190 |
3.8 Hours |
| Pocomoke City, Maryland |
14 |
0.3 Hours |
| Crisfield, Maryland |
34 |
1.0 Hours |
| Onancock, Virginia |
52 |
0.8 Hours |
*The Chesapeake Bay Bridge has a $2.50 toll eastbound.
**The Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel has a $10.00 toll each way.
(If you return within 24 hours and have your toll receipt, you
will receive a $6 discount – a $14 round trip)
Climate
Wallops Island has a temperate climate with hot summers and
cold winters. The prevailing wind is from the south during the
summer and from the northwest during the winter months with
a yearly average velocity of 8 knots (9+ miles per hour). The
average annual precipitation is 37 inches. The normal high temperature
during the summer months is 83ºF and the normal low in
the winter is 29ºF.
Transportation
US Airways Express offers flights from Salisbury-Wicomico Regional
Airport to Baltimore-Washington International Airport, Ronald
Reagan National Airport, and Philadelphia International Airport.
Air service is also available from Norfolk International Airport.
(There is no commuter service from Norfolk to Salisbury.)
Bus – Carolina Trailways Bus Line operates regularly along
US Hwy 13 from T’s Corner, Oak Hall, Virginia. Call 757-824-5935
for schedules and reservations.
Taxi – Miracles Taxicab Service, Hallwood, Virginia. Call
757-824-6233 for pick-up.
Local Transit – Star Transit, Parksley, Virginia. Call
757-665-1994 for schedules and fares.
Rental Cars – Major rental car services are available
in Salisbury, Maryland. Additional rental agencies are located
in Pocomoke City, Maryland. Due to our remote location, use
of an automobile is highly recommended.
Avis Rent A Car (toll-free) 800-831-2147
Enterprise, Pocomoke City, MD 410-957-3472
Hertz Rent A Car (toll-free) 800-654-3131
National Car Rental Interrent, Salisbury, MD 410-749-2450
U-Save Auto Rental, Pocomoke City, MD 410-957-1421
Lodging
Hotels, motels, bed and breakfast properties, and vacation cottages
are available in the area for temporary lodging. However, because
the area is rural with heavy tourist traffic during the summer
months, the supply and cost of lodging vary significantly. Temporary
lodging arrangements should be made in advance of any planned
visit to the area. Sources for lodging can be found at the following
chambers of commerce web sites:
Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce at http://www.esva.net/~esvachamber/
Chincoteague Island, Virginia, at http://www.chincoteague.com/
Pocomoke City, Maryland, at http://www.pocomoke.com
/
Ocean City, Maryland, at http://www.ocean-city.com/
Salisbury, Maryland, at http://www.salisburyarea.com/
Somerset County, Maryland, at http://www.skipjack.net/le_shore/visitsomerset/
Wicomico County, Maryland, Tourism Council at http://www.wicomicotourism.org/
Worcester County, Maryland, at http://skipjack.net/le_shore/visitworcester/tourism.html
Salisbury, MD Chincoteague Island, VA Pocomoke, MD
Hampton Inn Salisbury
121 East Naylor Mill Road
Salisbury, MD 21804 US
Phone: 410-334-3080
Comfort Suites
4195 Main St.
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Phone: 757-336-3700
Holiday Inn Express
125 Newtowne Blvd
Pocomoke, MD 21851
Phone: 410-957-6444
Comfort Inn
2701 N. Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: 410-543-4666
Refugee Motor Inn
7058 Maddox Blvd.
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Phone: 757-336-5511
Comfort Inn
2701 N. Salisbury Blvd.
Salisbury, MD 21801
Phone: 410-543-4666
Driftwood Motor Lodge
Beach Rd.
Chincoteague Island, VA 23336
Phone: 757-336-6557
Best Western Salisbury Plaza
1735 N. Salisbury Blvd
Phone: 410-546-1300
Island Motor Inn Resort & Spa
4391 Main St.
Phone: 757-336-3141
Days Inn Salisbury
2525 N. Salisbury Blvd
Phone: 410-749-6200
Hampton Inn
4179 Main St.
Chincoteague, VA 23336
(757) 336-1616
Churches and Other Houses of Worship
Many churches and other houses of worship are located on the
Delmarva Peninsula. Consult the local telephone directories
for information on services.
Organizations
There are many social, civic, and fraternal organizations on
the Delmarva Peninsula. See the local telephone directories
for contact information.
Medical/Dental
Emergency Medical Services is available at Wallops. Major Hospitals
in the area:
Hospital Phone
Peninsula Regional Medical Center, Salisbury, MD 410-546-6400
Atlantic General Hospital, Berlin, MD (Toll Free) 877-641-1100
EW McCready Memorial Hospital, Crisfield, MD 410-968-1200
Shore Memorial Hospital, Nassawadox, VA (Toll Free) 800-834-7035
There are numerous dental offices throughout the area. Please
consult your local directory.
NASA/Wallops Visitor Center
The Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center and Gift Shop is
located on Virginia Route 175 about 1 mile east of the Wallops
Main Gate. The Visitor Center, Gift Shop, and Education Resource
Center are part of the Robert L. Kreiger Education Center. A
collection of spacecraft and flight articles, as well as exhibits
about the United States space flight program, is on display.
Special movies and video presentations can be
viewed, and special events such as model rocket launches are
scheduled. There is no admission charge. Call 757-824-1344 for
details or visit the web site at http://www.wff.nasa.gov/pages/visitor.html
. There is also a gift shop located in Bldg. E-2 on Wallops
Main Base. MARS shirts, hats, and t-shirts are for sale.
Beaches
There are federal, state, and local swimming beaches and parks
located at Ocean City, Assateague Island, Chincoteague Island,
and other points throughout the area. For further information,
contact the following offices:
Ocean City Chamber of Commerce 410-213-0552
Virginia Division of Parks 804-786-2132
Richmond, Virginia
State of Maryland Forest and Park Services 410-269-3776
Annapolis, Maryland
Assateague Island National Seashore/Main Office 410-641-1441
Berlin, Maryland
Assateague Island National Seashore/District Office,
757-336-6577
Assateague Island, Virginia
Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge 757-336-6122
Assateague Island, Virginia
Golf Courses
There are several public golf courses on the Delmarva Peninsula.
Contact each course directly for details.
Golf Course Location Contact Information
Captain’s Cove Greenbackville, VA 757-824-5478 (local
call)
Assateague Greens Ocean City, MD 410-213-7526
Bay Club Berlin, MD 410-641-4081
http://www.thebayclub.com
Beach Club Golf Links Berlin, MD 410-641-4653
Creek Club Berlin, MD 877-280-4653 (toll free)
Deer Run Berlin, MD 888-790-4465 (toll free)
Eagle’s Landing Berlin, MD 800-283-3846 (toll free)
http://www.eagleslandinggolf.com
Great Hope Westover, MD 800-537-8009 (toll free)
http://www.greathopegolf.com
Horse Bridge Salisbury, MD 410-543-4446
Nassawango Country Club Snow Hill, MD 410-957-2262 (local call)
Links at Lighthouse Sound Bishopville, MD 888-554-4557 (toll
free)
http://lighthousesound.com
Nutters Crossing Salisbury, MD 800-615-4657 (toll free)
http://www.nutterscrossing.com
Ocean City Golf and Yacht Ocean City, MD 800-442-3570 (toll
free)
http://ocgolfandyacht.com
Ocean Resorts Berlin, MD 410-641-5643
Pine Shore Berlin, MD 410-641-5100
River Run Berlin, MD 800-733-7786 (toll free)
http://www.riverrungolf.com
Rum Pointe Berlin, MD 800-809-4653 (toll free)
http://www.rumpointe.com
Winter Quarters Pocomoke City, MD 410-957-1171 (local call)
There are also numerous miniature golf courses in the area.
Consult local telephone directories for addresses and contact
information.
Horse Racing
Live harness racing is available during the summer months at
Ocean Downs located at routes 50 and 589 near Ocean Pines, Maryland.
There are also year-around satellite simulcasts from other racetracks
in North America, both harness and thoroughbred. Call 410-641-0600
or visit the web site at http://www.oceandowns.com / for directions
and current schedules.
Professional Baseball
The Delmarva Shorebirds is a Class “A” affiliate
of the Baltimore Orioles. The regular season runs from April
through August at the Arthur W. Perdue Stadium near Salisbury,
Maryland. Call 1-888-BIRDS 96 (1-888-247-3796) for ticket information
or visit the web site at http://www.theshorebirds.com /.
Boating
Public boat ramps are available at most locales that have access
to creeks, rivers, the Chesapeake Bay, Chincoteague Bay, or
the Atlantic Ocean. There are several private yacht clubs throughout
the area, as well. Boat (canoe/kayak) rentals and charters are
available on Chincoteague Island, at Shad Landing in the Pocomoke
River State Park, on the Pocomoke River in Snow Hill, in Ocean
City, and at other places along the Shore.
Camping
Campgrounds and trailer parks are located throughout the Delmarva
Peninsula. See local telephone directories for private facilities.
State parks that permit camping include the following:
Assateague. Nine miles south of Ocean City, Maryland,
on State Route 611, telephone 410-641-2120.
Pocomoke River State Park Milburn Landing. Seven miles
northeast of Pocomoke City, Maryland, on State Route 364, telephone
410-632-2566.
Pocomoke River State Park Shad Landing. Four miles southwest
of Snow Hill, Maryland, on US Route 113, telephone 410-632-2566.
Museums
NASA/Wallops Visitor Center, Wallops Island, Virginia
City Hall Museum, Salisbury, Maryland
Ward Foundation Museum, Salisbury, Maryland
Oyster Museum, Chincoteague, Virginia
Refuge Waterfowl Museum, Chincoteague, Virginia
Julia A. Purnell Museum, Snow Hill, Maryland
Railroad Museum, Parksley, Virginia
Library
While there is no general library at WFF, NASA maintains a very
good scientific and technical library in Building E-105, Main
Base. Local and national newspapers and periodicals are available
on site, as well as computers with access to the Internet. The
library is open from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Nearby public libraries are listed below:
Eastern Shore Public Library
Accomac, VA 757-824-5151
Chincoteague Island Branch 757-336-3460
Wicomico County Library
Salisbury, MD 410-749-3612
Worcester County Library
Pocomoke Branch 410-957-0878
Snow Hill Branch 410-632-2600
Berlin Branch 410-641-0650
Ocean City Branch 410-289-7297
Recreational Use of Wallops Island
Hunting and fishing are permitted on Wallops Island after working
hours and on weekends when operations are not in progress. Hunting
licenses are required and may be purchased for a nominal fee.
Call extension 1097 for information on licensing requirements.
Physical Fitness Facilities
Wallops maintains a fitness facility, which includes a gymnasium,
weight room, Nautilus equipment room, locker rooms, and saunas.
Guest memberships are available. The Morale Activities Committee
(MAC) manages the fitness facility. Call extension 1244 for
further information.
Shopping
Distance
Shopping Area from Wallops Population
Salisbury, Md 42 miles north 40,000
The major metropolitan area on Maryland’s Lower Eastern
Shore. There
are several major chain department stores, three shopping centers/malls,
major chain supermarkets, theaters, restaurants, banks, and
specialty stores.
Pocomoke, Md 14 miles north 4,000
This small town provides a full service shopping area with a
department store,
hardware and building supply stores, discount chain store, car
dealerships,
drug stores, supermarkets, banks, and restaurants.
Ocean City, Md 50 miles north 8,000 winter 150,000 summer
This resort area has factory outlet stores, several shopping
centers/malls, specialty
shops, souvenir shops, restaurants, and movie theaters.
Chincoteague, Va 8 miles east 8,000 winter; 20,000 summer
This small community provides a local shopping area consisting
of dry goods
stores, hardware stores, drug store, gift shops, banks, restaurants,
and a movie
theater. Some businesses operate only during the summer tourist
season.
Onley/Onancock, Va 25 miles south 2,000
Located on the Chesapeake Bay, these communities offer small
shopping
centers and a downtown shopping area, a department store, supermarkets,
banks,
restaurants, specialty shops, hardware stores, and a movie theater.
Annual Events
Most annual events occur between March and November. The following
local web pages provide events calendars in addition to information
on lodging, dining, and recreation in the area:
Chesapeake Bay Bridge-Tunnel at http://www.cbbt.com/index.html
Cape Charles and Northampton Chamber of Commerce at http://www.ccncchamber.com/
Eastern Shore of Virginia Chamber of Commerce at http://www.esva.net/~esvachamber/
Chincoteague Island, Virginia, at http://www.chincoteague.com/
Eastern Shore Federal Wildlife Service at http://easternshore.fws.gov/
Pocomoke City, Maryland, at http://www.pocomoke.com /
Ocean City, Maryland, at http://www.ocean-city.com/
Salisbury, Maryland, at http://www.salisburyarea.com/
Somerset County, Maryland, at http://www.skipjack.net/le_shore/visitsomerset/
Wicomico County, Maryland, Tourism Council at http://www.wicomicotourism.org/
Worcester County, Maryland, at http://skipjack.net/le_shore/visitworcester/tourism.html
