Having grown up in South Florida we had many a’ school trips to Kennedy Space Center. It’s an incredibly awesome place with new things to always check out, and unfortunately, I never had the opportunity to see an actual rocket launch.
Space fans looking for the perfect way to spend the day of the SpaceX launch on April 14th will find Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the ideal destination for space exploration. Visitors may enjoy a front row seat to view the launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the closest possible public viewing area, and from viewing areas at the Visitor Complex. Launch viewing is included in daily admission.
The launch, scheduled for 4:58 p.m. from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, will be SpaceX’s third resupply mission for NASA to deliver food and supplies to the International Space Station (ISS). Also included in the resupply mission are robotic climbing legs for Crewmember Robonaut-2 (R2), currently aboard the ISS.
Before the Falcon 9 rocket lifts off, the Visitor Complex will open at 9am and remain open until 7pm, offering a full-day space experience. Guests can enjoy such attractions and activities as:
– Space Shuttle AtlantisSM, where visitors can “be the astronaut” as they get nose to nose with a real spaceflown orbiter. Space Shuttle Atlantis is displayed as if floating in space – the only space shuttle orbiter in the world exhibited this way. Guests also can train on various simulators: take a simulated spacewalk, land the space shuttle on the shuttle landing facility, operate the robotic Canadarm or dock with the International Space Station.
– KSC Up-Close Explore Tour, which gives visitors an insider’s view of the U.S. Space Program, from the launch sites of today at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to the past and future of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center. The KSC Up-Close Explore Tour includes up-close views of the massive, 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the Shuttle Landing Facility. The tour stops in between the Kennedy Space Center launch pads for a close-up photo opportunity, in front of the VAB, and on the NASA Causeway where guests are surrounded by a panoramic view of launch pads at Cape Canaveral that are currently accommodating rocket launches by NASA, SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance
– The Apollo/Saturn V Center, where dramatic multi-media shows and numerous hands-on displays provide visitors with an inspirational and exhilarating look into America’s quest for the moon. Guests relive the historic launch of Apollo 8 at the Firing Room Theater, then marvel at a monstrous 363-foot long Saturn V moon rocket, the most powerful rocket ever built and one of only three Saturn V rockets in existence. The Apollo Treasures Gallery showcases treasures from the Apollo moon missions, including Apollo 14 Commander Alan Shepard’s spacesuit and the Apollo 14 Command Module, Kitty Hawk.
Admission tickets may be purchased at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com or by calling 877-313-2610.
Bon Voyage,
Jenn
Jenn Cox is a Montreal-based freelance journalist. Visit her website or email her at info@wordaddict.ca.
Photo: NASA/Kennedy Space Center
