In sharp contrast, hardly anyone outside the commonwealth gave Wallops much thought until the authority began touting the launch site. But the natural advantages that make the island work for NASA should make it attractive to the private sector. The island is secluded, and nearby land is sparsely populated. Wallops' location lets scientists shoot rockets safely out over the Atlantic Ocean, and the island's latitude and longitude are perfect for sending satellites into equatorial and other desirable orbits. No place else can handle our requirements the way it can.
Wallops has lots of experience in small launch vehicles and is a low-profile, focused operation.
Reed and Wayne Woodhams, the authority's deputy executive director, are frequently on the road courting potential customers such as Space America. In 1997, there were 54 commercial satellite launches worldwide, Reed says. With more than 1,200 satellites expected to go up during the next decade, he predicts the Virginia spaceport will become a regular on the launch circuit. Our cost element is half a million dollars per launch. Their efforts are backed by the Virginia Economic Development Partnership, which has a marketing staff member touting Virginia's space business.