Wallops Island in Accomack County, Virginia — The American South (Mid-Atlantic)

Nike-Cajun

Studying the Air Around Us

— NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center —

Nike-Cajun Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 27, 2022

1. Nike-Cajun Marker

Inscription. Scientific instruments ranging from 10-100 pounds were carried in the nose cone of this two-stage rocket from 1956-1976. The combination of the Nike booster and the second stage Cajun could reach altitudes of 104 miles. The Nike-Cajun was used to study upper atmospheric conditions, cloud structure, upper atmosphere temperatures, and wind speeds.

(sidebar)
A “stage” = a rocket motor. A two-stage rocket has two motors, allowing the rocket to travel higher and carry a heavier payload.

(captions)
Nike-Cajun rocket in launch position
Nike-Cajun sounding rocket loaded on launch rail

Erected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Environment • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1956.

Location. 37° 56.337′ N, 75° 27.433′ W. Marker is on Wallops Island, Virginia, in Accomack County. It can be reached from Chincoteague Road (Virginia Route 175) 2.3 miles north of Atlantic Road, on the right when traveling north. Marker is located within the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center.

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 175 Chincoteague Rd, Wallops Island VA 23337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Virginia’s Eastern Shore.

It is also in the American South,

specifically in the Upper South,

on the Delmarva Peninsula,

and in the Tidewater.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the original Thirteen Colonies,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Black Brant IX (within shouting distance of this marker); Welcome to the NASA Visitor Center (within shouting distance of this marker); Dr. Robert L. Krieger (within shouting distance of this marker); NASA Wallops Flight Facility (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); Nike-Orion (about 300 feet away); Little Joe (about 300 feet away); Astrobee + Aerobee 150 (about 400 feet away);

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 27, 2022

2. Nike-Cajun Marker

An Island of Research and Exploration (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wallops Island.

Also see . . .
1. Nike-Cajun Rocket. (Submitted on August 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. (Submitted on August 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 342 times since then and 33 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 29, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.