Introduction
The Kennedy Space Center is one of the most iconic places in the entire world. It has been a central part of our nation’s space program for decades and continues to this very today.
The center was first established in 1962 under the leadership of President John F. Kennedy’s administration with the stated goal of advancing America’s space exploration program through various research and development programs.
It has since grown into a multi-faceted complex that includes multiple exhibits, buildings, and amenities, including museums and educational experiences which are designed to teach visitors about NASA’s history while simultaneously promoting science education among all ages. The center offers several guided tours to help guests better understand what it takes to get astronauts safely into space each time they launch from this very location.
Daily Admission Ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Atlantis Annual Pass for One Adult or Child to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Valid 365 Days from Desired Date
KSC has been involved in every American manned space mission since December 1968.
Kennedy Space Center is the home base for NASA in Florida. It’s located in central Florida on a barrier island along the Atlantic coast, just south of Daytona Beach in a region of Florida known at the Florida Space Coast.
The space center has been involved in every American manned space mission since December of 1968, when Apollo 8 orbited the Moon and returned safely to Earth. Neil Armstrong became the first person to set foot on another world as he walked across the lunar surface on the Apollo 11 mission in July of 1969, which was also launched from Pad 39A at Kennedy Space Center. Since then, more than 1,000 people have traveled into space from this very site.
There are many different tours available at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
There are many different tours available at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The most popular is the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour, which takes you on a guided journey through the space center and ends with a stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where you can see all three rockets that took astronauts to space, including the one that launched Neil Armstrong’s historic moonwalk. Another popular option is the Kennedy Space Center Tram Tour, which takes visitors on an immersive journey through Launch Complex 39A and the gigantic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), as well as around other areas of interest in KSC. Both tours are conducted by individuals who have years of experience in educating guests about NASA’s legacy and its future plans for exploration beyond Earth’s atmosphere.
The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is one of the center’s top attractions.
The Atlantis exhibit is our absolute favorite to visit. This exhibit is a tribute to the space shuttle program, which retired in 2011. As you enter the exhibit, you ascend a ramp surrounded by inspiring quotations about space exploration. In this immersive experience, you will learn about the development of the space shuttle program. The most aw-inspiring moment is when you enter a giant room surrounded by projection screens which totally engulfs you in the journey of the space shuttle. At the conclusion of this multimedia experience, the front screen opens to dramatically reveal the space shuttle is displayed in its entirety.
The Apollo-Saturn V Center was constructed in 1995 as a tribute to the Apollo flights.
Located at the Apollo-Saturn V Center is a full-size replica of the Saturn V rocket. This rocket was constructed in 1995 as a tribute to the Apollo flights. It stands tall at 171 feet and weighs 6.2 million pounds. The Saturn V was used for all of NASA’s moon missions from 1961 to 1972, including Apollo 11, which launched on July 16th, 1969 and landed on July 20th.
The rocket itself has three stages: S1 (first stage), S2 (second stage), and S3 (third stage). Each stage had five F-1 engines that produced 1 million pounds of thrust each—the equivalent power of 225 Boeing 747 jetliners running at full takeoff power!
Kennedy Space Center offers many things to see and do, including watching launches.
Watching launches from the NASA causeway is the most popular way to see a space shuttle launch. You can enjoy a picnic lunch with your family or friends while watching a launch, then head over to one of the visitor complex’s restaurants afterward.
If you’re looking for an even more unique view of launch day, consider staying overnight at one of Kennedy Space Center’s three campgrounds (two of which are located at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station) and waking up early on launch day so that you can watch as the sun rises over Launch Complex 39A and then heads into work at KSC. Another option is to stay at one of two hotels located right next door to LC-39A!
Space enthusiasts who want something different might want to watch from land or air—which means heading out onto nearby beaches or even flying in planes above Cape Canaveral itself! If those options aren’t enough for you though, another option would be renting boats near Banana River and viewing launches from there instead; this would get you closer than any other option available!
Conclusion
A visit to the Kennedy Space Center visitor complex is an absolutely unforgettable experience. There is something about the prospects and possibilities of space exploration which are absolutely inspiring and motivating, but there’s something also about the vast expanse of unknown, unexplored regions of the universe which are humbling and breath-taking.
Titusville, Florida
When visiting the Kennedy Space Center, be sure to stop by the neighboring community of Titusville, Florida for even more space memorabilia, memorials, and great things to do! CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE.