Kennedy Space Center Overview
The Kennedy Space Center tells the story of how the United States built a space programme that launched men to the Moon, orbited satellites and sent probes into distant space to solve the mysteries of the cosmos.
The general tour of NASA's launch headquarters includes visits to towering launch pads, huge rockets, history-making technology and vast stretches of Florida wildlife, calling at the International Space Station Center, LC 39 Observation Gantry and the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Two optional tours – the NASA Up-Close Tour and the Cape Canaveral: Then & Now Tour – take you deeper into the operations of Kennedy Space Center.
There are also two IMAX movie theatres telling the story of space exploration, a walk-through Space Shuttle replica, an in-flight simulator and real moon rocks! A new feature is the full-day Astronaut Training Experience, with 2-day family tickets (including overnight stay) also available. And if you are lucky enough to visit when a Space Shuttle is launching or landing you can watch from the Kennedy Space Center – a truly unique experience you will never forget!
Events at Kennedy Space Center
Kennedy Space Center is holding some very special events this year:
May: Launch of GLAST rocket (date to be announced).
31 May: Launch of Space Shuttle Discovery.
15 June: Launch of the Jason-2 satellite.
9 August: Launch of IBEX rocket.
28 August: Launch of Space Shuttle.
16 October: Launch of Space Shuttle.
28 October: Launch of LCROSS satellite.
5 November: Launch of GOES satellite.
1 December: Launch of SDO spacecraft.
4 December: Launch of Space Shuttle.
15 December: Launch of OCO rocket.
(All dates are subject to confirmation).
Planning Your Trip to Kennedy Space Center
Situated on the Atlantic coast, Kennedy Space Center is close to Orlando and is easily accessible from Miami and the rest of Florida via Interstate 95 and the Beeline Expressway, or by local bus. Once on site, a free passenger bus takes you around the many attractions – the bus tour takes a couple of hours and in general, you should plan to spend a day looking round the whole site.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has a full-service, sit-down restaurant and several self-service restaurants and speciality food locations with a wide variety of menu options.
A general ticket is valid for 2 days in 7 and includes the bus tour, movies and all exhibits and shows. Additional options include more involved tours, lunch with an astronaut, the full-day Astronaut Training Experience and of course, depending upon when you visit, the chance to see a Space Shuttle launch.
Florida Villa Holidays
With so many things to see and do in the Kennedy Space Center site – and with so many other theme parks close-by to explore – you’ll need a place to stay while you play. A Florida villa holiday offers the ideal solution – choose from a range of villa rental options to suit your family and budget, and stay close to the action.
Kennedy Space Center Guide with Florida Villa Options
