Have a Blast as its name implies, the hallmark of the Space coast is its unique place in the history of america’s space-exploration program. the
Kennedy Space Center (KSc) was the focal point for many of the country’s most important — not to mention thrilling — launches and landings, from the legendary apollo program that put the first man on the moon right through the present day and the center’s status as the home and sole launch site for the u.S. space-shuttle fleet.
those one-of-a-kind launch-viewing experiences are still available to visitors today, with countdowns and blast-offs planned throughout the spring and summer and into the fall when Discovery will close out the spaceshuttle program with one final launch.
But the end of the shuttle missions doesn’t mean an end to our explorations of the “final frontier”; unmanned rockets will continue to launch from the center, and exciting new missions are on the radar. for detailed information on all upcoming launches, including a schedule, a map of the best places for viewing launches and special hotel offers, visit the Space Coast Office of Tourism’s dedicated website, spacecoastlaunches.com.
of course, no visit to the Space coast would be complete without doing a little exploring of your own at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Your adventure starts with a bus tour of the facility, featuring a stop at the international Space Station center to see firsthand how the various components of the Space Station are prepared before venturing into a full-scale model of the station itself. You’ll also visit the apollo/Saturn V center, which recounts the history of the moon missions with exhibits that include an actual Saturn V rocket — and don’t miss the apollo treasures Gallery, where you’ll find equipment and spacesuits used by some of the astronauts who walked on the moon. en route you’ll also see the launchpads and the enormous Vehicle assembly Building, the largest onestory building in the world.
the end of the tour is just the start of the fun. You can experience the same sensations that shuttle commanders do in the Shuttle launch experience, designed by naSa astronauts to mimic an actual space-shuttle launch. afterward, board explorer, a full-size replica of a space shuttle, and check out the latest information on naSa programs at the launch Status center. or put yourself in the middle of the action at one of two imaX theaters. at astronaut encounter, you can participate in a Q&a-style session with a veteran astronaut. for “junior astronauts” there’s the children’s play Dome, complete with a moon-rock wall and rocket tunnels. the nearby rocket Garden houses rockets and capsules representing various phases of american space flight.
As you head back toward the mainland, be sure to stop into the u.S. astronaut Hall of fame, which showcases the world’s largest display of astronauts’ personal memorabilia as well as activities and simulators that allow you to “train” like america’s space explorers do.
kennedyspacecenter.com, 866-737-5235
Another great way to have a blast? Hit the waves! Port Canaveral is home to several major cruise lines — carnival, Disney, royal caribbean and, starting in october, norwegian — and is less than an hour’s drive from both the orlando and melbourne airports, making the Space coast perfect for a pre- or postcruise stay. it’s also a great place to catch a launch from the Space center or to spend a day enjoying the shops and restaurants at the cove. there are also three public parks, including the oceanfront Jetty park, which has a 4.5-acre beach and a 1,200-foot fishing pier.
portcanaveral.com, 321-783-7831
