TRAVEL & EVENT DETAILS

Jump to: Air & Ground Travel | Local Lodging | WFF Security & Access | WFF Map | Internet Access @ WFF | Agenda & Schedule | Optional Symposium Events | Local Attractions

Air &
Ground Travel

Wallops Flight Facility (WFF), 34200 Fulton St, Wallops Island, VA 23337, is located on Virginia’s eastern shore, close to the the Chincoteague National Seashore tourist area. It is relatively remote and public transportation is very limited, so a car is necessary. Closest airports include:

• Salisbury Regional Airport (SBY): ~50 miles/1 hour by car [flights from PHL, CLT]
• Norfolk, Virginia Airport (ORF):~90 miles/2 hours by car
• Baltimore-Washington Airport (BWI):~150 miles/3 hours by car
• Reagan Washington Airport (DCA):~160 miles/3 hours by car
• Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): ~185 miles/3.5 hours by car

Driving routes may have tolls. The DCA and BWI routes may include the Bay Bridge (see https://mdta.maryland.gov/TollRatesTables for toll information; call 1-877-BAYSPAN for live status updates). The PHL route may include tolls through Delaware (see https://dmv.de.gov/About/tollServices/index.shtml for toll information). The ORF route includes the Chesapeake Bay Bridge Tunnel (see https://www.cbbt.com/tolls/ for toll information and status updates).

Local Lodging

The closest town, Chincoteague, Virginia, offers a variety of lodging options within 10-15 minutes of WFF by car. The next nearest major towns, Pocomoke City, Maryland (~20 min by car) and Salisbury, Maryland, (~50 min by car) are also potential lodging locations.

WFF Dorm: WFF offers private, ensuite, non-smoking rooms by reservation (US Citizens/LPRs only). The WFF “dorm” buildings, F-5 and F-4 (see map), are a convenient walking distance to the Cafeteria (Bldg E-2), Auditorium (Bldg E-100), and Rocket Club (Bldg F-3). Learn more and inquire about reserving a “dorm” room.

Reserve early! The area has many tourist attractions and events, so book lodging as soon as possible.

WFF Security & Access

All attendees, including NASA PIV Badge Holders, must register for the Symposium to allow time for security processing and event logistics planning (no “day of” registration available for this event). In-person registration closed August 1.

HESTO may reach out to get additional information to facilitate the WFF badging process.
Contact HESTO Program Manager Kyle McAllen for security questions or issues.

NASA PIV badge holders who have pre-submitted a NAMS WFF access request can go directly to the WFF Main Gate (34200 Fulton Street, Wallops Island, VA 23337).

All others must first go to the WFF Badging Office on Atlantic Road (just outside the Main Gate, see map) to pick up their WFF badge.

The Badging Office opens at 7am. Plan at least 30 minutes Wednesday morning for the badging process. There is ample long and short term parking at the Badging Office.

WFF Building E-100 Auditorium (front)

WFF Building E-100 Auditorium (from Avery Street parking lot)

Internet
Access @ WFF

NASA Employees with PIV Card and NASA device will be able to access the WFF internet. Do NOT create a Guest account (doing so could cause Launchpad issues).

Non-NASA Attendees: Pre-register for internet access while at WFF to ensure connectivity during the Symposium. Self-register at NASA’s IT Guest portal (https://guest.nasa.gov). Once at WFF, you will not be able to access the internet to do this, so be sure to register before you get to the facility. Cell service can be intermittent at WFF, so plan to sign up before you get there.

Agenda & Schedule

Featured Speakers: Dr. Joseph Westlake (Director, NASA’s Heliophysics Division), David L. Pierce (Center Director, NASA’s Wallops Flight Facility), Dr. Roshanak Hakimzadeh (Deputy Chief Technologist at NASA Headquarters, NASA’s Heliophysics Division), Dr. James F. (Jim) Spann, Jr. (Senior Scientist for Space Weather, NOAA’s NESDIS Office of Space Weather Observations)
Full List of Speakers: 2024 Tech Symposium Speakers and Abstracts
Full Schedule for Day 1 (Wednesday, 18th) and Day 2 (Thursday, 19th)
Contact HESTO Lead Scientist Steven Christe for Agenda issues.

The Symposium includes opportunities for sharing knowledge and lessons learned. This year’s focused topics include:

• Technology Readiness Level – Dr. Tupper Hyde (Chief Engineer, NASA GSFC)
• Mission Design Labs
  • APL Concurrent Engineering (ACE) Lab – Annette Mirantes
  • NASA GSFC Mission Planning Lab (MPL) – Ben Cervantes
• How to Write/Improve your Science Traceability Matrix
• Designing and Testing for Radiation – NASA GSFC Radiation Group

Breakfast & Lunch: Explore Chincoteague eateries or visit the nearby WFF Cafeteria (Bldg E-2; open 7am to 2pm, see map). The Cafeteria, a short walk from the Auditorium across the Overflow Parking lot, has a range of food and beverage options (order online via the link for quick or scheduled pick-up or via the Cafeteria’s convenient lobby kiosks) and Wednesday is WFF’s famous “Chicken Day,” a local favorite.

Optional Events

The Symposium also provides opportunities to socialize and network with your fellow Heliophysics technology and science specialists. HESTO will host optional, informal Happy Hour on Wednesday at the WFF Rocket Club (see map). The optional Bus Tour on Friday morning will highlight some WFF facilities and the island launch site.

The WFF Rocket Club (see map, Building F-3, open 4pm-midnight) is a gathering place for the entire WFF community. It offers drinks, darts, music, large screen TVs, games, and more.

Local Food & Attractions

WFF is situated near the Chincoteague National Seashore, home to the famous wild ponies, and offers a wide variety of local food and attractions. See https://www.chincoteague.com/ for local info.

Just some of the local eateries you could try during your visit.

Local Events Happening After the Symposium

• Friday, Sept 20 – 4:30pm: Chincoteague Fall Pony Roundup
• Saturday, Sept 21 – 6:00am: Chincoteague Fall Pony Roundup
• Saturday, Sept 21 – 9am-1pm: POW/MIA Car Show
• Saturday, Sept 21 – 10am-3:30pm: Climb the Chincoteague Lighthouse
• Saturday, Sept 21 – 7pm: Briar & Bramble: The Patch Brothers Concert