Visit the NASA headquarters and maybe arrive in time to witness a shuttle launch as it twists itself free from the earth’s gravity into outer space.
Unmanned shuttle launches are a common occurrence at the Kennedy Space Center check ahead of your trip to see if you visit coincides with a launch for a truly unforgettable experience. The NASA headquarters has for decades been the epicentre of technical engineering and human achievement. It was from this very station that the Apollo 11 shuttle was launched, landing the first men on the moon in 1969.
Covering a phenomenal 56,656 hectares, the Kennedy Space Center is six times the size of Manhattan and includes a whole host of fascinating exhibits and attractions open to the public.
Start your visit at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and visit the Rocket Garden, showcasing a range of early shuttles that made space exploration possible. Visitors can climb aboard many of the modern models and sample first-hand the life of an astronaut in space. The virtual simulators are an interactive way for guests to test their shuttle flying capabilities. U.S. space programme veterans are always on hand to give you extra tips and provide you with detailed information about the shuttles and their uses in space.
If the experience of simulated space flight was not enough, grab some lunch with an experienced astronaut. This one-hour experience is a great opportunity to ask questions and meet a real space explorer. Visitors should book in advance and meetings do come at an extra cost.
Tour buses are available on a hop-on hop-off basis and leave every 15 minutes. Tours are self-guided, allowing you maximum independence around the site. Guided tours are available upon reservation but incur and extra fee. Driving past, you will see some of the sites most popular attractions, notably the Apollo/Saturn V Center and a space shuttle launch pad.
The United States Astronauts Hall of Fame spins visitors back in time, exhibiting a diverse range of artefacts and memorabilia dedicated to the early space explorers of our age.
Allow yourself plenty of time to take a tour and view all the exhibits on offer. Allow a full day including a few hours for the U.S. Astronauts Hall of Fame if your schedule allows.
