After reviewing the on-line information we were still not sure how to approach our visit to Kennedy Space Center. There were a variety of on-line options but waited until we got there to decide on a game plan.
When we arrived we were surprised that there was a $10.00 parking fee. We have been there in the past and never had to pay a parking fee. I guess that comes with the concessionaire part of it. Once at the ticket gate there were multiple options. The entrance fee for seniors was $46.00 plus tax per person that included a bus tour, two I-Max 45 min videos, the Astronaut Encounter Theater, Mission Status Updates and the Shuttle Launch Experience plus the ticket is good for seven days to get into the Astronaut Hall of Fame 6 miles from the Space Center. All in all not really a bad deal for the price. We wanted to add on an additional tour but the ticket agent wasn’t sure we would be able to fit the tour we wanted into the day because it was a three hour tour. So we opted out of adding another tour at a cost of $50.00 that we might not be able to complete.
Instead we took the included bus tour that took us to the LC-39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Our first stop at the Observation Gantry gave us a great view of the LC-39A and LC39B launch pads. We have always been disappointed in ourselves that we didn’t make a real effort to get down here to view a launch. The garage doors to the Vehicle Assembly Building are so tall they take 45 minutes to open.
We were told by our tour guide that although the government has dropped the space program, it is still active because the private sector is now working on future space exploration at the Kennedy Space Center. The International Space Station continues to receive payloads from the US funded by private companies.
Inside the museum we viewed a mock-up of the space shuttle with a narration on what happens during the countdown to lift off. It was very interesting and informative. We were also told that transporting the shuttle from the garage to the launch pad can take 8-12 hours.
The shuttle has been nicknamed the flying brick . So named because :
Then it was off to the Apollo/Saturn V Center. We had been here before so spent some time reviewing what we had seen in the past. Not much had changed but it was still interesting.
By the time we completed the bus tour and stopped for a quick lunch it was already 2:15 pm. The place was packed by then and the line to get on the bus was very long. Somehow we managed to get on that bus getting back to the complex by 2:30 pm. We thought about catching a ride on the Shuttle Launch Experience, but Ron doesn’t do well on those types of rides so we opted out. Instead we went to the I-Max theater and watched the amazing 43 minute 3-D presentation on the Hubble Telescope repair missions. It was totally awesome and we felt like we were with the astronauts as they were doing their space walks.
We had 30 minutes to spare between shows so took in the presentation at Exploration Space. It was also well done and informative. The guide spent some time explaining the future of space exploration and it sounds extremely exciting. With private sector money they will be able to do things that federal budgetary constraints would not allow.
Then it was off to our second 3-D I-Max presentation – “Space Station.” Awesome is all we could say. How fortunate for that very select group of people to be privileged enough to fly above our beautiful planet. By the time that presentation was over the park was closing – so we had to head out. There were still several areas that we missed – so I guess it was really good we didn’t purchase any additional tour tickets. On July 4, 2013 they will be opening a new exhibit for the Space Shuttle Atlantis. The Atlantis is already inside the building but total construction of the building won’t be complete for several more months.
The weather has been perfect and we have been enjoying our adventures. We plan to visit the Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday.
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