Florida Tourist Attractions – Kennedy Space Center, The Space Coast
Watching the shuttle blast off into space would be like watching those first ambitious fish come ashore, topped off with the explosive power of the world’s most expensive fireworks. If you ever need a little inspiration, a space shuttle launch will make you appreciate just how remarkable human beings really are.
Start by contacting the kenny space center (321-867-4636) Also find out if there’s a launch during your visit (you can also order tickets to see the launch). If you can’t get tickets to the KSC facility, don’t worry, there are plenty of great places to watch the ferries fly. Try the Astronaut Hall of Fame, the Jetty Park Campground, Cherie Down Park, Rotary Riverfront Park, Space View Park, Coca Beach Pier, the Bennet Causeway (Hwy 528), and the Brewer Parkway Bridge in Titusville.
Make hotel reservations in advance and plan to stay for a while. The launch I saw, STS-110, was delayed 3 times due to mechanical issues and windy weather, a week culminating in a nail-biting countdown in which technicians reloaded software on Space Shuttle Atlantis in the final minutes .
Arrive early at your viewing site and bring binoculars and extra beer – it’s an international party no matter where you end up. Vendors sell ice cream, soda, and even mission-specific t-shirts (starting at $10; they make great souvenirs). Tune in to 920AM for up-to-the-minute reports and, five minutes before the big event, the countdown.
In the launch I saw, the anticipation was thicker than solid fuel in a pressurized STS-110 tank. It was parked on the Brewer Parkway bridge, blocked by dozens of cars; no one cared, no one was going anywhere. People from all over the world took turns with my friend Linda’s telescope, examining Atlantis from across the bay, imagining her straining against the launch apparatus, eager to fly. “The wind may be too strong today.” a man announced, his ear pressed to the radio. We had 28 minutes until the launch window opened. Prayers to various deities followed. “Shuttle computers crashed,” another woman yelled. The window would close in nine minutes.
But NASA arrived with seconds to spare, and the entire Space Coast began chanting “Three, two, one – LIFT OFF!” And there were flames, then clouds of steam, and a silent ascent into the stratosphere. “Here comes the noise,” a father whispered to his son. Windshields rattled in response to the roar; none of us covered our ears. And Atlantis was gone.
International Spare Station Center
This attraction is so cutting-edge, you’ll think the whistling automatic doors have transported you right to the bridge of the USS Enterprise. Not only can you witness the construction of the actual components of the International Space Shuttle, but a high-tech observation deck showcases the cramped living space of astronauts – no claustrophobia need apply. You will only see the center through the NASA Up Close tour and the Astronaut Training Experience.
– astronaut training experience
The Astronaut Training Experience (321-449-4400; per person, including lunch and equipment, $225) is the closest you’ll get to being an astronaut without all that education and training. This experience puts you through the intense training bona fide astronauts endure, including the 1/6 gravity chair and a mission control countdown. You’ll also have a question and answer session with former astronauts, as well as exclusive tours of the shuttle launch pads, the International Space Station and NASA’s press site. Attendees must be at least 14 years old; those under 19 must be accompanied by an adult. This program is very popular for calling well in advance to make reservations.
– NASA nearby tower
The NASA Up Close Tour ($52/36 adult/child) includes regular admission plus a 2-hour tour of “restricted areas,” where the space shuttle refits after landing and prepares for launch. You almost feel like you’re actually going to see the alien autopsy room, like Mulder and Scully prowling through a top-secret warehouse, as you weave between towering buildings and paths of steel. Plus, you don’t have to be a super space junkie to appreciate the awesomeness of this behind-the-scenes look at NASA facilities. Only before a release, this tour is discontinued (no refunds).
Author: Kenneth Ng, Lonely Planet