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entrance to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex in Melbourne Florida

Florida Staycation: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

Posted on October 8, 2020October 14, 2020 by Mark And Chuck's Adventures

One of our Florida road trip’s main objectives, aka staycation, was to visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex. It had been more than a decade since we had visited.

We did our research and saw that not only were we able to spend a fair bit of time exploring outside, but they also required masks of all visitors. We really like seeing their Trusted Space safety protocols. 

 

Trusted Sapce six feet apart social distancing markets at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex

 

Two For One

Another massive plus for us was the special pricing they are offering during their COVID reopening. For safety reasons, the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex’s bus tour, which includes visits to the Saturn and Apollo V Center, was discontinued.

So, for the regular admission price of $57.00 for adults (age 12+) and $47.00 for Children (age 3-11), we got their “Explore More.” This allowed us to experience the main visitor complex and get a complimentary admission ticket valid beginning January 1, 2021.

 

Heroes and Legends

 The first building we encountered was the Heroes and Legends building containing the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

 

Mural of NASA on the Heroes and Legends building
Carved mural of astronauts

 

 Starting from the relief mural on the outside of the building, this exhibit hall was pretty impressive. It brought to life the stories of the pioneers of NASA’s space program.

 The presentation of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame was incredible. The hall of fame was created by the Mercury Seven astronauts, and inductees are selected by a special committee.

 

display in the US Astronauts Hall of Fame
US Astronauts Hall of Fame

 

 From the artifacts to the Gemini 9 capsule, the information and displays were really engaging.

 

Chuck exploring the artifacts of US astronauts
Chuck checking out space exploration artifacts

 

Rocket Garden

Located just outside of the Heroes and Legends building is the Rocket Garden. Which is WAY more impressive than when we visited years ago. The beautifully landscaped outdoor space includes rockets from the Apollo, Mercury, and Gemini programs.

 

rocket garden at the Kennedy space center visitors complex
The Rocket Garden
space capsule in the rocket garden
Space capsule in the rocket garden
Chuck taking photos in the rocket garden
Chuck in the Rocket Garden

 

NASA Now + Next

 This exhibit is immense. We started with the IMAX Theater – even though for safety reasons (handling of the 3D glasses) they were not offering the 3D show, it was pretty incredible.

 It’s a journey through space with interviews, training, and mission footage. A good portion features astronaut Chris Ferguson, commander of the final shuttle mission.

 This was great to see as Mark was the wedding planner for Chris’ niece’s wedding and got to spend some time with Chris and his family that evening.

 

Space shuttle medallion for the STS 135 mission
STS 135 Mission medallion

 

 The theater leads into an exhibit hall with scale models of the NASA Space Launch System, the SpaceX Dragon Cargo Vehicle, and a working prototype of the Moon Express Test Vehicle.

 

Spacex Dragon capsule
Dragon Spacecraft

 They did a great job keeping crowds to a minimum and social distancing inside the theater and exhibits.

  

Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other

 This building is fantastic, from the towering rockets outside to the close up of the Atlantis. The gallery has a ton of interactive exhibits – some were touchless and still open to the public.

 

selfie in front of the towering Atlantis shuttle rockets
A selfie in front of the shuttle rockets
nose of the space shuttle Atlantis
Space shuttle Atlantis
Atlantis sapce suits
Spacesuits

 

 The giant Hubble Space Telescope was interesting to learn more about and see just how big it is.

 

The Hubble Space Telescope
Hubble Sapce Telescope

 

 Be sure to check out the Shuttle Launch Experience. Even though we’ve never been inside a space shuttle, but this is supposed to come pretty close to the experience.

 

sign for the Shuttle Launch Experience
Shuttle Launch Experience entrance

 

 And, be sure not to skip over the Forever Remembered memorial. This display of personal items honors the astronauts who lost their lives during the Challenger and Columbia missions.

 

man standing in front of the friends and fallen heroes exhibit
Chuck in front of the remains of the Challenger

 

Exploring Outdoors

 With some of the exhibits closed, there was still plenty to do outdoors.

 The Space Mirror Memorial is a national memorial honoring fallen astronauts and the educational murals are both beautiful and informational. There is also an interesting Step. Power. Launch an interactive walkway that generates energy from every step you take across the panels.  

 

mural the space station and countries involved in its development
Space Station Mural
Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex outdoor exhibits
Outdoor exhibits
mars rover vehicle at Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
Mars Rover

 

 We also got to see a Mars Rover Vehicle Navigator, and our timing was great that we got a quick selfie with an astronaut making a spacewalk.

 

Mark and Chuck grabbing a selfie with an astronaut at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex
Selfie with an astronaut

 

 It was a great day, and the COVID-19 safety precautions they had in place made us very comfortable with our visit.

We can’t wait to go back to the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex and visit again with our second pass!

 

 

 

 

 

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2 thoughts on “Florida Staycation: Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex”

  1. Sabrina Polk says:
    October 17, 2020 at 5:50 pm

    Sending Texas hugs your way! Love that y’all are making the most of this Rona business!

    Reply
    1. Mark And Chuck's Adventures says:
      October 18, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Big HUGS, we miss you!

      Reply

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