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

Nike-Orion

Using Surplus for Science

— NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center —

Nike-Orion Marker image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 27, 2022

1. Nike-Orion Marker

Inscription. In the 1970's, the Army had a surplus of Orion motors. NASA saw potential in these unused motors for scientific exploration. Nike-Orion sounding rockets were solid-fueled, two-stage sounding rockets created with a Nike and an Orion motor. These former military motors could carry scientific payloads weighing 150 pounds up to 118 miles in altitude. Although Nike-Orion motors are no longer in use, Wallops still uses the new improved Orion motors.

(sidebar)
Did you know: NASA makes use of many surplus rocket motors and aircraft to conduct scientific missions.

(caption)
Nike-Orion sounding rocket on launch rail at Wallops

Erected by National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Air & Space • Exploration • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1970.

Location. 37° 56.292′ N, 75° 27.417′ 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. Marker is located within the NASA Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Wallops Island VA 23337, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on the 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

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

markers are within walking distance of this marker: Astrobee + Aerobee 150 (within shouting 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); Little Joe (within shouting distance of this marker); Nike-Cajun (about 300 feet away, measured in a direct line); An Island of Research and Exploration (about 400 feet away); NASA Wallops Flight Facility (about 600 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Wallops Island.

Also see . . .
1. Nike Orion. (Submitted on August 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Wallops Flight Facility Visitor Center. (Submitted on August 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 27, 2022

2. Nike-Orion Marker

Credits. This page was last revised on August 31, 2022. It was originally submitted on August 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 458 times since then and 36 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 30, 2022, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Bernard Fisher was the editor who published this page.