Rocket Launch May Be Visible Wednesday at 5 P.M. From Belmont

Belmont residents could be in for a treat that has been reserved in the past for people living on Florida's Atlantic coast and in California near San Luis Obispo: witnessing a rocket launched into space.

And even though it can been seen all the way to Portland, Maine, don't expect to see too much of the rocket's race to space.

A test flight for a space capsule system intended to help resupply the International Space Station is scheduled to launch from the Virginia coastline today, Wednesday, April 17 and if weather conditions are favorable – and it appears to be – the craft just may be visible from Belmont as it ascends into orbit, according to NASA projections. 

The Antares rocket, developed by Virginia-based Orbital Sciences Corporation, is expected to launch at 5 p.m., though the launch window extends until 8 p.m., should weather or other factors require a delay.

In our area, the rocket is expected to rise no more than five degrees above the horizon. That's roughly the height of a little less than an adult's fist held at arm's length. 

If you want to attempt to view the launch, the best place is a location with a clear view of the southeastern horizon, basically looking towards Boston. 

In Belmont, possible viewing locations include the grounds of the Boston Temple of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints off of Frontage Road, the parking lot of the Oakley Country Club off Belmont Street in Watertown or travel over Route 2 into Arlington and head to Robbins Farm Park for a great view of Boston.

The Wednesday evening forecast for Belmont is favorable for viewing, calling for sunny skies with few clouds and temps in the low 60s.

The rocket and the smoke trail should become visible in the southeastern sky between two and three minutes after it lifts off in Virginia.

To watch the launch live online – or to confirm that it's going forward while you stand outside and look for it – visit Space.com's live stream from NASA TV.

NASA's coverage is scheduled to run from 4:00 p.m. until 5:25 p.m.

Orbital, whose earlier Pegasus rocket was the first privately-developed space launch vehicle, has a $1.9 billion deal with NASA to conduct eight unmanned Cygnus resupply trips to the space station.

The Cygnus capsule itself is under construction and is scheduled for its first trip to the space station in November, according to Space.com.

Since NASA discontinued the Space Shuttle program in 2011, supplies headed for the station have traveled in Russian-made Soyuz space capules.