If anyone in your family is a space enthusiast, the Visitor Complex at the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) is a must-see! Here you can stand beside rockets that you have seen on TV or in history books from all the different NASA space programs. If you are lucky enough to be in town at the right time you can even view a rocket launch at the Visitor Complex, close enough to actually feel the rumble of the engines!
Located on Merritt Island, Fl, the John F. Kennedy Space Center offers its visitors a glimpse into the world of space, science, innovation, and imagination. It is the main field center of NASA’s ( National Aeronautics and Space Administration) ten locations and focuses on human spaceflight. Some of the US most notable flights such as Apollo and Skylab have originated from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. There are 700 facilities and buildings across NASA’s Kennedy Space Center.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the visitor center at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. It has all the major attractions and exhibits for visitors to explore. It is open to the public daily from 9 AM to 5 M. Here you will find space for exhibits and memorabilia. Additionally, there are IMAX theaters, bus tours, and astronaut presentations.
All the attractions are grouped into different Mission Zones. Each Zone corresponds to a different space era from the dawn of space flight right up to today.
Mission Zone: Heroes & Legends, Early Space Adventures
Learn about USA’s first space explorers at the US Astronaut Hall of Fame. The honorees are chosen by a special committee of the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, which was founded by the Mercury Seven astronauts. Outside walk among the collection of historic rockets in the Rocket Garden, including rockets from NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo missions. Be sure to visit the Astronaut Encounter Presentations for a chance to meet a veteran astronaut. Mission Control: The Unsung Heroes of Apollo, is the newest film about the people behind Project Apollo. It plays in the Universe IMAX theater.
Mission Zone: NASA Now, Exploring Space in Current and Future Missions
This zone deals with the current missions to the International Space Station (ISS), as well as upcoming deep space exploration. You can look at earth the same way the astronauts see it in the 3D IMAX Theater or travel to the red planet in Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted. During the Mission Status Briefing, you can learn about current NASA missions and operations. You will also hear about launch activity from Kennedy Space Center.
Mission Zone: Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other
In this Mission Zone, you can visit the iconic Space Shuttle Atlantis in its permanent exhibit. These shuttles took astronauts to space and back for thirty years. You can practice landing and docking in simulators and then feel the lift-off at the Shuttle Launch Experience.
Mission Zone: Race To The Moon, Apollo/Saturn V Center
There are few occasions in United States history that unified our country as the race to the moon did. This Mission Zone explores some of the glory of that time period. You can relive one of the launches in the old launch room. At Kennedy Space Center, walk under the full length of a Saturn V rocket, the largest rocket ever flown. Finally, relive the last few minutes before those famous words “the Eagle has landed.”
Mission Zone: Behind the Gates, Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour
Take the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour in order to get behind the gates of the restricted area. This was the highlight of my visit to KSC. See a historic launch site or even a rocket being prepped. The bus drivers have tremendous knowledge of the whole site. They share it with you as you slowly make your way through the various launch areas and buildings.
Launch Viewing At Kennedy Space Center
On November 9, 1969, part of John F Kennedy’s vision to go to the moon, the first test flight of Saturn V was lifted off. Launches continue to this day.
There are many viewing options at Kennedy Space Center, all located within a few miles of launch pads. The visitor complex does sell tickets for rocket launches and provides live commentary of what is happening in the control room.
For those looking for additional launch viewing places in the Titusville area, read our blog here.
For more information about Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
This experience is well worth the admission! You won’t be disappointed.
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