Community Corner

Showing Tonight: A Spectacular Minotaur Rocket Blast Over Lorton

NASA is sending the Minotaur V rocket into the moon's atmosphere, and you should be able to see the night launch from your yard.

By Todd Richissin

Most rocket launches take place during the daylight hours, but not tonight’s flight of the Minotaur V.

NASA's return trip to the moon’s atmosphere comes well after dark, and because the Minotaur V rocket is set to be launched from NASA's Wallops Island facility on Virginia's coast, you should be able to see it from your yard.

Find out what's happening in Lortonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

The weather forecast for Lorton calls for clear weather.

The launch window is from 11:27 p.m. to 11:31 p.m.

Find out what's happening in Lortonfor free with the latest updates from Patch.

If you’re going to try to see it, you’ll be interested in what NASA has to say:

"As a reference, when you look at your fist with your arm fully outstretched, it spans approximately 10 degrees. Thus, if you are in Washington, DC, the highest point the Minotaur V will reach is approximately 13 degrees above the horizon, or just slightly more than a fist's width."

The rocket will be operated by a Virginia corporation, Orbital Sciences of Dulles.



Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

Support These Local Businesses

+ List My Business

More from Lorton