Tourism Officials Teaming To Market Space Launches From Wallops

Tourism officials from Virginia Beach to southern Delaware will gather April 5 to discuss utilizing upcoming launches from NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility ( WFF) and the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport (MARS) on Virginia’s Eastern Shore to attract visitors to the mid-Atlantic region.

During the luncheon meeting, the nearly 50 officials will learn about the upcoming Department of Defense ORS-1 satellite launch from MARS at WFF, on a Minotaur 1 rocket this spring or summer and will discuss how to use this and other launches this summer as an additional attraction to visitors in the region.

The group has been meeting for nearly two years to discuss the marketing potential of “America’s First Space Coast” with traditional marketing themes they have used in the past.  The area is widely known for its beaches and natural attractions. The group wants to take advantage of the rocket launches from Wallops as another activity that would attract visitors to the area.

Speaking during the luncheon at Wright’s Restaurant in Atlantic, Va., will be Valerie Skarupa, Special Assistant to the Director of the Operationally Responsive Space Office, Office of the Secretary of Defense; Julie Mears, Marketing Communications Manager, Goodrich ISR Systems; and Vicki Cox, Senior Communications Manager for ATK Aerospace Systems.

In addition to the Minotaur 1 launch, there are several NASA suborbital sounding rockets expected to be launched this year from Wallops. Also, Orbital Sciences Corporation is expected to conduct the first launch of its Taurus II launch vehicle later this year.

A steering committee has been formed to distribute the Wallops and MARS launch data and other information to the region’s hospitality industry, organizations and public officials. Liaisons from NASA Wallops and the Mid Atlantic Regional Spaceport will be working closely with the steering committee.