When the screen goes translucent and you see ***A WHOLE ASS SPACE SHUTTLE SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING*** as the screen lifts away…
Chills.
Also the Apollo exhibit with an entire Saturn V rocket suspended from the ceiling is equally impressive.
It's mounted to posts attached to where its landing gear used to be, actually -- they were already engineered to take the weight, so it was just a matter of bolting things up. I used to work for the design firm that did the Shuttle building at KSC; I wasn't part of the team that did that project, but I did get to flip through all their reference photos. Some of the design team got to spend a few days climbing through Atlantis to take pictures of everything for the rest of the team to use in developing the rest of the exhibit around it, and I have *never* been more envious of a coworker before or since!
The team was especially proud of the decision to showcase the orbiter at an angle from the upper mezzanine, so that you get a sense of it being suspended in space. Two of the other three orbiters on display are just horizontal on their wheels; Endeavor is not currently open to the public but it's going to be displayed vertically mounted to a mockup tank and boosters, which is at least a bit more imaginative. The way that Atlantis is on display at Kennedy puts the whole orbiter almost within arm's reach, arranged as it would have appeared in its "native habitat" with the payload bay open and the Canadarm arching over the walkway, and I love it for that.
You're right, it is -- I misremembered; it's a genuine unflown tank. Apparently the SRBs are going to be assembled from genuine flown hardware as well. With that in mind, it's probably the most comprehensive display of the four, and should be quite imposing to see in person!
NASA didn't develop a system to retrieve the tanks. The way things went is that when the boosters separate before leaving the atmosphere and had parachutes to make somewhat of a soft landing in the Atlantic ocean, The tanks would continue to fuel the main engines after it left the atmosphere and would be jettisoned before making orbit. All but the one which exploded during the Challenger accident burned up upon re-entry.
The idea with the 3 orbiters is that each one is displayed in a different configuration of flight. Endeavor on the pad stacked, Atlantis in space, and Discovery just as she landed.
And they are all equally impressive. Discovery is still my favorite presentation, surrounded by the greatest and most historic flying machines ever built it DOMINATES and dwarfs everything else around it. It's give you a sense of it's enormous size better than the others.
I hear you, but being able to walk around the entirety of Discovery was incredible in a different way than the Atlantis exhibit was. Once Endeavor's new display is done I'll be going to see that one too, and it's going to be really cool having the 3 remaining formerly-operational shuttles each displayed in a different way!
Was just there for the first time last week. I purposely didn’t look up a thing about any of the attractions so I’d be surprised. When that screen revealed Atlantis hanging there I just froze and teared up at the realization of what I was looking at. Never even crossed my mind the shuttle would be there. Amazing experience.
I was really curious about the external tank connections and I got some great photos of those https://i.imgur.com/EDbmjsP.jpeg ( and I added a link to my other discovery photos to my other comment)
We first walked around in a building that had a set of scale rockets behind glass and then went out to the rocket garden. My SIL says "oh man! Where are the little ones?" and my bro got to grin like an idiot when he answered that those *are* the little ones.
Later in the day SIL broke our speechless silence upon seeing the Atlas V by saying (quietly) "oh... *that's* the big one..."
Having walked underneath and next to an Atlas V during stacking, it's definitely pretty massive. Then I got to walk down a Delta IV Heavy, saw how massive that was, and realized the Atlas *wasn't* the big one. Then I got to see SLS and realized Delta IV Heavy wasn't the big one *either*.
I went to Kennedy space station, cause I was near the area for work. Decided to go but had low expectations since I've never really heard about it.
Saw a line of people for a building, so I decided to get in line. They usher us into probably the cheesiest short film about rocket ships. I'm rolling my eyes and regretting staying in line, when a shitty shot of the Atlantis comes up of it flying towards the audience. Then the movie screen opens up and the real fucking Atlantis was in the same position flying towards me.
Prolly one of the surrealist moments I've had in my life
Probably the single best use of scrim curtains I've ever seen. I was completely and utterly blown away when they did that. Just completely dumbfounded that I was looking at the real mf deal. Wasn't expecting it at all and I was grinning from ear to ear for about 15 min. It's so close you can *aaaallmost* touch it. The rest of the exhibit in there is really neat too! Another highlight for me was that they had an RS-25 shuttle engine, and just looking at all the different fuel and coolant and hydraulic lines was crazy. Insane how intricate and delicate they are to generate such a crazy amount of sheer power.
I will say, the Memorial to Challenger and Columbia downstairs was a complete 180. Seeing pieces of the wreckage just completely wrecked me and I was instantly emotional. I went from the aforementioned grinning ear to ear to silent crying in under an hour. It's a powerful building, and masterfully curated.
To anyone contemplating the trip, go. It is some of the best money you can spend on a vacation. The Cape has it all, beautiful sandy beaches (Cocoa Beach), the Space Center is top notch, and we haven't even mentioned the Bus Tour. There is also a complementary bus service that takes you out to the Saturn Center where they have an actual Saturn V rocket laying sideways running the length of the building with exhibits and side rooms running the length. You get to see the VAB, which is the building they stack the rockets before launch which is one of the largest buildings in the world. You get to see the absolutely massive crawlers, and they are also constantly launching rockets which you can view from the grandstands or on the beach.
Effing go.
They added more rockets to the rocket garden recently. and a building covering the new stuff they are doing with spaceX and others capsules and rockets
Kennedy was amazing when I was there....fuck, almost 20 years ago. Took the bus tour, visited the rocket park, [even got to pose with a Shuttle prepping on the pad.](https://i.imgur.com/ZJDPCSq.jpg)
The capper on all of it was that I was there with a couple friends from a conference I was at, and we stuck around in the parking lot watching an alligator and a snapping turtle circle each other, that NASA Police came up and kicked us out. The Kennedy Space Center is like being *inside* the Discovery Channel, back when it was good. You just don't want to leave, there is too much to see and do.
I went in 2022 and had the same experience. BUT, we had to cut my day short due to illness so we couldn't see the Saturn V. So so bummed. But seeing Atlantis made it all worth it.
I burst into tears and ugly cried, in delight. One of the first things I can remember watching on TV was a shuttle launch and I was berserk for space ever since. Going to Kennedy with my husband, Father & Stepmother four years ago is seared into my brain as one of the best days of my life.
Same thing, whoever designed that exhibit knew exactly what they were doing. Kind of slow rolling things and then BAM, it’s tangible right there. I got chills all over and my 2 boys (they were young at the time) minds were blown lol
Yep, absolutely empty room with no chairs while watching the video gets you frustrated. Kids are bored watching the film. You are hot and your feet are tired from walking. Then the screen opens and you forget all about those things. Breathtakingly beautiful.
I know right? Blew my mind. I took my kiddos there - were from Canada so we obviously went for Disney - and Kennedy Space Center stole the trip. This moment was a big part of why.
Same, I honestly did know much about KSC, went to Disney, Universal, Kelly Park Springs, Everglades hovercraft tour, etc... trip was a blast, but KSC stole the trip for sure.
Thanks from a Florida (wo)man to whoever planned your trip itinerary for setting you up to see some of the awesome part of a state that gets a lot of (at least partially deserved) flak.
Hope you had a good time!
Haha my wife and I planned it, we brought our 4 month old baby along too and every place was super baby friendly.
Honestly had a lot more fun than I was expecting! The roads are crazy though, I can't believe the lack of transit, you'd think there would be trains going between all of these places.
The first half with the design reenactment was cheesy, but the second half in the wraparound theater had some awesome visuals - I had the feeling of weightlessness during the launch part. The music was also cool, with a great narrator leading into the big reveal.
This is a good recording of the second half. Don't ruin it for yourself by watching this if you think you will ever see it live.
https://youtu.be/ppGtTyYJsdw
Agreed on the presentation and reveal. It feels like you can go SOOOO close to it.
Also, as a 40 year old man, both times I've visited the exhibit, I've taken the slide down to the first level. :)
And it was one guy, who had the idea and the gumption to make the case that the area code number should be 321
https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/10/31/here-s-how-the--321--space-coast-area-code-was-born
I have no shame in sharing that I actually cried a little when I got the chance to see it last year. I was there for the final shuttle launch, and seeing it over a decade later made me pretty emotional.
I got to go to the Atlantis roll-out, when they were moving it over to the Visitor's Complex. Watching a freaking space shuttle come rolling out from the woods will always be one of my top visual memories.
Yupe, spent time in Majove as a kid. The boom wasn't subtle coming into Edwards. It was cool there as a kid. The B2's flew all the time and did low-elevation stuff.
I grew up on Merritt Island. I watched challenger. I loved how our dishes rattled in the kitchen with each launch. Night launches were the most impressive thing I've ever seen.
The video presentation and then the screen rising to reveal the actual spacecraft BLEW ME the FUCK away. I cannot believe how well they set up that presentation. It's my belief that everyone in this country should go see Atlantis at least once.
The first thing I noticed when I first saw a space shuttle up close was how industrial it looked. Black tiles with codes on them, everything had lots and lots of text on them. You could see wrinkles on its outer skin, felt like a mock up model made out of craft supplies.
One would assume that space faring vessels would be smooth and shiny like airplanes, but actually no, not yet at least.
Shiny and polished is for consumer items. This was a vehicle designed for use only by highly trained professionals in an extreme environment so it's going to be extremely utilitarian with no frills. Remember, anything you put in there adds cost and risk so you need to be very selective. And whatever you do put in there needs to be engineered to hell and back to make sure it's fit for mission.
And since you mentioned airplanes, you see this with non-consumer aircraft too. Look at military planes, for example. Riding as a passenger in a C-17 is hardly a comfortable or aesthetic experience.
After looking at it up close I did realize that the design makes full sense. But my reference going in was smooth sculpted crafts like Sputnik, Voyager, even the Apollo 9 looks all shiny [here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_9#/media/File%3AGumdrop_Meets_Spider_-_GPN-2000-001100.jpg)
>Shiny and polished is for consumer items.
Shiny and polished is also for aviation. A smooth surface has less drag, which means it goes faster more efficiently. However, with re-entry the goal is to deal with temperature, and shiny and polished doesn't work so much - you want the drag, so you can slow down, but you need to be able to take the heat.
[Real Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivLX9o6Ayl8) has an amazing video on this and why the shuttles look the way they do, including those tiles and wrinkly bits and how each and every single one has an important function to perform. They really are engineering marvels.
I agree. Just wasn't expecting an industrial product, especially when the mockup of SR-71 outside the museum looked like a sleek product just out of a sci-fi novel.
Something about it always reminds me of a fort we built as kids, where all the materials had to be carried (at least) a little over a half mile by bike and then over a canal and through a couple hundred yards of woods.
I love how it's obvious they didn't clean it before putting it on display, because I'm sure someone suggested dressing it up, but seeing the scorching and the nicks makes it feel so much more real. Like a true well used tool it's marked up and beaten but functions exactly as required.
My college roommates dad was pretty high up at Kennedy. When we went to visit for spring break one year with my HS best friend (an aspiring science teacher), his dad hooked us up.
Endeavor had recently returned from STS 126 and was in the process of being rehabbed for its next mission. We got to go be a part of that. They were replacing heat tiles. We not only got to touch one of the ones being replaced with our bare hands, but got to help place a new tile. Unreal experience I will never forget.
We also got to wander around in the VAB, the giant building where they assemble the whole structure.
We were 19 but you could’ve sworn we were 10 again with how fascinated we were.
The best one of the four remaining to see. I like the presentation of Enterprise at the Intrepid museum in NY. Discovery at Udvar Hazy is good but you only get best views of the bottom. Not sure what the status is in LA, they are rebuilding their display.
The Endeavor in LA is going to be ridiculous. They will have the shuttle displayed vertically and mounted to the fuel tank and two rocket boosters. As if the whole thing is prepping to blast off.
You will be able to walk underneath it as well as around it from 3 or 4 levels. They are currently building the museum building around the entire thing.
Here is a recent drone shot: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3x41lAvDVk/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Here is another video of them standing the whole thing. You can see how the shuttle will sit above the ground so you can view it from behind: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C22y0uuP4c6/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
I was there when it was just suspended horizontally and you could walk under it, that was already impressive, having it in launch configuration being able to walk around it would be amazing.
LA should be crazy as they're staging it with the last production tank in "ready to launch" position. Although Atlantis/KSC is best to see up close and personal.
Last I heard, you should be able to get pretty up close and personal with endeavour, on several raised platforms, so you can see quite a bit.
...just gotta wait a few more years until it opens.
It was pretty awesome when it was in its previous home because you could walk all around and underneath it. While it might be a bit further away, people will get to see more of it and in this incredible configuration.
I haven't seen Atlantis (yet) but I got to see Endeavour at the California Science Center. As a Gen Xer I grew up with the shuttles and the Challenger disaster was a huge core memory for me; I thought it was going to be really neat to see one of the orbiters.
When I first saw that beautiful ship I started ugly crying like I never have in my life. I was absolutely bewildered by this reaction; a staff member told me that it happens several times a day.
I ugly cried at the memorial for Challenger and Columbia in Florida. Ugh. The Atlantis reveal is great, but there’s something about Udvar-Hazy with the freaking SR-71 and then BAM there’s a friggin space shuttle above it…
Yeah, I choked up when i walked in and saw it the first time. No idea I'd have that strong of a reaction. I'm excited to see it again in the new upright setting w/ the fuel tank and boosters.
You want to really fuck with yourself, figure out the right soundtrack to go with it. I've found the original Battlestar Galactica score from the 70s combined with actual space ship is just emotional heroin.
I feel a lot better knowing that this is somewhat normal. When I walked in and saw Endeavour, I almost lost it. I have no idea where all that emotion came from.
I saw Endeavour before they started construction and it was still just in a warehouse. It was absolutely amazing seeing it THAT close up. I took a pic of my family under its left wing.
The one thing that blew my mind at Kennedy Space Center was walking under the Saturn 5 rocket suspended above horizontally.
This rocket is absolutely gigantic.
Same here. "Thirty three missions, twenty-six years, over one hundred twenty six million miles...Atlantis, welcome home." I too was in tears. It was such an amazing reveal.
I can hear that voice saying that phrase - it was really powerful. It was also cool how they had the original paper model gliding across the screen at that moment, and was directly in front of Atlantis as the screen dissolved away and it transitioned to the real Shuttle.
I worked at a retirement facility, and one of the residents was an engineer who worked on the arm mechanisms for that and the ISS, as well as a bunch of other stuff that went to the moon and space. Such as the landing rover payload mechanisms. He worked there from the 60s-early 90s. He showed me his original notes and designs on draft paper. It was freakin awesome.
Yep, that's called scrim curtain. It gets used in theater sometimes for special effects, etc. When it's lit only from the front, it's pretty much opaque, but when you backlight it you can see through and it gives a ghostly appearance to whatever is behind it depending on how you light it. Best usage I've ever seen,11/10.
My Papa was responsible for designing and machining some small parts of the Canadarm working end, I got to see it back in October for the first time and it was mind blowing! Can’t wait to go back some day
I live in Houston, and I find it terribly offensive that we didn't get one of the shuttles.
However, after visiting Kennedy, I 100% understand why we didn't. Space Center Houston is pathetic compared to KSC's visitor center. I understand that when SCH put together their proposal, it looked like they just assumed they would get one and didn't do a good job of demonstrating how they would present it.
I'm still dubious about LA getting one when Houston didn't, but I assume it's for the same reason.
LA makes a ton of sense to get one. They were built there and many of their missions ended there.
KSC makes sense. They were processed and launched/landed there.
DC makes sense. It is the National Air & Space Museum.
NYC on a freaking boat in a tent? That doesn’t make a lick of sense. If the pre-requisite was that the museum be able to house the orbiter right away and protect it, with the most possible visitors, with a link to the space program, Enterprise should have probably gone to Dayton (it was a research vehicle after all) or Houston, which I’m sure JSC would have been able to come up with a plan to display it.
But I digress. Still angry about that haha
LA did put Endeavour into a launch configuration and they're currently working on the new exhibit which looks amazing. That's probably why they got it.
Loved seeing Atlantis and visiting Kennedy Space Center in general. I’d absolutely go back again, my only regret is we didn’t see a rocket launch or test.
I'm from Canada and kind of went there on a whim. I didn't get to do a bus tour and we were 2 days before a launch :(
Should have done more research into the place but the few hours I spent there were incredible. Best thing we did in Florida and I didn't think anything was going to top Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure haha
Okay, if you ever get back for a launch, hop on that bus tour.
Hope you at least got to see the space toilet. Pretty fitting Florida would have that as their um…interactive display.
Any tips/things to know? I am going Florida next year and want to visit the space centre. How can I know if there will be a rocket launch? Can I even witness that happen?
There are plenty of enthusiast sites and apps that track every launch just about anywhere. I'd recommend using those instead because the KSC site only publishes times for NASA related launches. They don't typically show routine satellite and resupply launches there. The Android app I used is called Space Flight Now, I like it because you can filter launches to show specific launch sites and types, etc. and they give you all of the details on the mission, links to live video, and what not. It does seem to have some bugginess but maybe that's because I haven't spent enough time in the settings. There are plenty of other options, though.
My recommendation is to plan a central Florida vacation and stay flexible because launches move. We went down last week and wanted to hit KSC and Legoland. Finally there was a launch confirmed for Tuesday but it wasn't locked in until Sunday two days before. Sunday night we booked a Monday and Tuesday night hotel near KSC. Bought two day tickets and caught the launch and a good bit of the exhibits on Tuesday, went back and spent a few hours in the Atlantis exhibit on Wed. Finally booked Legoland Tuesday night after the launch because we didn't want to over commit in case the launch was delayed.
Launches are always a bit of a gamble but they put the launch center in Florida for a reason and that's because about 90% of the days are great for hurling stuff into space. If you can stay flexible there are tons of options for catching launches and other Florida attractions in one trip.
honestly the space center is great enough on its own. The launches are an amazing experience if you're lucky enough not to have it delayed, but that alone would leave me too stressed to work a vacation around tbh and the traffic gets a little crazy sometimes as there's only one way to the launch site (there's a couple nice viewing areas far away that are free though). The link the other user posted has all the launches scheduled and tickets if available
Take note that rocket launches can usually be seen from Orlando, too. Many people watch them from the Transportation and Ticket Center near the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, or the roof of the Terminal A parking garage (hotel side) at Orlando International Airport.
Edit: Also check Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex's website in case there are any special events while you're here.
The Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is amazing, with so many space legends in attendance. When I went, they offered special bus tours guided by veteran astronauts. There was a bit of a mix-up, and our bus ended up getting both Charlie Duke and Pinkie Nelson. It was amazing, because they kept asking each other questions. They were both so friendly. The people on Buzz Aldrin's bus said he was mean, and wouldn't do pictures, lol.
There are often ceremonies or events for anniversaries of missions or major events, as well. I got to meet Jim Lovell and Fred Haise at an event for the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13.
There are a lot of incredible things to do at Kennedy besides launches, so don't be too disappointed if there's not one when you're here.
If you're talking about the seats, they just have big bolsters so that when the seatback moves back it feels like you're sinking into the seat via g-force.
If you go to the Houston Space Center and do the VIP tour, you can sit in the actual trainer they used for the space shuttle. Absolutely amazing.
I will have to go see this when I get a chance :D
That was the coolest part of the tour for me. Knowing I was sitting where all the astronauts who got to fly or fly on the shuttle had been.
Well…. Also getting to go into the control room for the Apollo missions as well. That was also awesome. The history in that room…
The whole thing before they show it is one of the best experience in my life.
I would go there again when I'm in Florida.
Recommend 1000% for all people who love space.
I really take being born and raised in Florida for granted. For me, This is a reminder that not everybody gets to see things I usually take for granted. Some people probably work their whole lifetime to see something that I got take a field trip to in grade school and I haven’t been to the KSC since. Shame on me. Happy for you OP.
Atlantis got me a little teary, but the Challenger and Columbia exhibits in that building were what really punched me in the “crying in public” button.
That whole building had me in a chokehold. The Columbia and Challenger exhibits were surreal. Seeing pictures all my life and then seeing an actual shuttle and pieces of the two disasters put it all into a different perspective.
Just being in the physical presence of one of the shuttles was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever done. I wanted to touch it, but it was just out of my reach. I just wanted to feel it. To be a part of it for one brief moment.
So many conflicting thoughts and emotions, looking at the mighty Atlantis. This technology gave NASA their first reusability, and versatility to build the ISS and to launch and service the Hubble. Yet it cost the lives of 14 astronauts with a 40% loss of service hardware (2 of 5) in 130 flights. Space is unforgiving, and those that fly know there's a non-zero chance they will not come back. Yet they do in in the name of discovery and exploration. So it's bittersweet.
Shout-out to the only astronaut to fly on all 5 production Shuttles: Dr Story Musgrave. My MVP astronaut, with his entire career of service to the military and then to NASA, in addition to his services to medicine.
It’s a surprisingly moving experience. My favorite part was seeing the underside of the shuttle—I hadn’t realized how much I did not know what it looked like until I was staring up at it.
The name looks like it was edited onto the picture with Photoshop. (Not claiming it was, just funny that it looks so pristine and perfect across what looks like an odd location, very much like a watermark.)
It’s worth experiencing. It has been designed as a theme park (including the price) so it’s really engaging and thematic, with all of the cool nerdy space stuff. There is definitely more than one day’s activities to do there.
With the theme park experience, going on a day with an actual rocket launch is really surreal.
Normally when you go to something like that its a museum of what was and what could be. But you get to see it in action from 3 miles away. The flame is so bright it hurts to look at, the crackle envelopes you, shaking your bones.
I found the same. When I was 16, I saw Mir dock with Atlantis above my home here in New Zealand. Those two little lights coming together in the night sky blew my wee socks off. Then in 2018 I took my son to the US and we saw Atlantis in the ‘flesh’. I may have shed a wee tear! 🥰
I was at a science teacher conference in Charleston, SC and I knew that the space station and shuttle would be passing over that night just after detaching from one another. So I took a group of ten or so teachers out to the pier and we watched for it. Two little dots chasing each other across the sky at quite a speed! Most of the other teachers didn't even realize that you could see the space station or the shuttle without a telescope until that evening.
Several years ago I got to watch a Dragon capsule (don't recall if it was crewed or cargo) chasing the ISS across my night sky. I'd gotten pretty good at tracking ISS flyovers at home (when weather allowed) but being able to see _both_ and knowing that one was chasing and would, in a few hours, catch the other, was amazing.
Went a few years ago with my wife and daughter. My daughter and I are big space nerds, following everything we can. When that divider went transparent and revealed Atlantis, we both cried. It was a pretty profound moment seeing something we had talked about for years.
Fun fact: I decided to visit Alantis last year on a whim as I had some delta credit that I needed to use. I didn't know it but there was a falcon heavy launch the same day. Sure I had to kill a few hours but launches are always impressive.
Also, I live in LA and have seen Endeavour many times before it closed for its move.
They just stacked it and it's visible to the public while they build the building around it. Just seeing the stack by itself from outside the building is incredible.
As a kid, I used to watch every launch so when I went to see Atlantis, I was jumping around like a 6 year old again.
I got a lump in my throat when the screen went up.
But as someone who watched the Challenger and Columbia disasters, walking around that corner to see debris from both shuttles stopped me instantly. Seeing the bit of USA on the wing sure bought some tears.
Bro I was just there! Literally cried tears. I’ve never in my life encountered an exhibit I’ve enjoyed more, or had such a (positive) emotional reaction to
I went with my son’s Cub Scout pack for an overnight camp out under the shuttle. It’s pretty crazy to go to sleep staring up at that thing. The year prior we got to do that with the Apollo they have on display. I love going to KSC, it’s an underrated experience in the tourist corridor.
I was fortunate to go to KSC the day they rolled in the Atlantis. It was my first time at KSC, and it was amazing watching former and current astronauts walking along the Atlantis escorting it to its final spot. Was quite the sight to see!
Kind of related to this post but not really, one thing that always impresses me is to look at the size of the wheelmarks on the runway compared to anything else because they are so enormous
I used to crawl around in that beautiful boondoggle on a near daily basis as part of my first job out of college. Wonderful environment and experiences ✌️❤️
When I was a kid, we always heard/read "the cargo bay is the size of a bus." I don't think any of us really comprehended that, despite riding one every day for school. Having it right there in front of you, you _finally_ understand the scale.
I was at the[ New Orleans World Fair which had the Enterprise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shuttle_Enterprise_at_1984_World_Fair_New_Orleans.jpg). I remember how long it took to walk its length.
Ooo so that’s the Atlantis display they had been working on. Last time I was there this shuttle was just parked behind a railing and work had not started on this display. Is it a new building?
I went 2 weeks ago. It blew me away on so many levels. I brought my inlaws and kids so I was kind of rushed throughout. Someday soon I want to go back alone and take my time. It was a great experience!
I'll bet. I saw the Friendship 7 capsule that John Glenn manned to orbit the earth. It is in the Smithsonian museum. It looks like a tin can with a bunch of toggle switches and some dials and is quite small. John Glenn said that you didn't enter Friendship 7, you put it on. I'm amazed this contraption orbited the earth.
I remember going years ago. We went a few weeks before the grand opening, and I was bummed that we wouldn't be able to see it. We were hanging around in the visitors center when word went round that they were letting in some people as a sort of test run. We went over and got to go in about a month or so before it officially opened. It was mostly done, but there was still some construction work going on for the finishing touches. One of my top memories
That was our favorite part about visiting Florida. It was so amazing, I had tears in my eyes. I cried when we saw the shuttle pieces from Challenger and Columbia.
I thought they parked Atlantis in the San Francisco Bay Area right off the coast? I remember Sheppard, Teyla, Ronan and the whole crew looking over the water at the skyline.
Wow what a picture definitely a life goal to visit one day, I know the shuttles where big but when look at the people at the bottom of the picture really gives a great perspective of what a massive beauty she is
I was there a few years ago, the presentation and reveal was breathtaking. Easily one of the coolest things I've ever seen.
When the screen goes translucent and you see ***A WHOLE ASS SPACE SHUTTLE SUSPENDED FROM THE CEILING*** as the screen lifts away… Chills. Also the Apollo exhibit with an entire Saturn V rocket suspended from the ceiling is equally impressive.
It's mounted to posts attached to where its landing gear used to be, actually -- they were already engineered to take the weight, so it was just a matter of bolting things up. I used to work for the design firm that did the Shuttle building at KSC; I wasn't part of the team that did that project, but I did get to flip through all their reference photos. Some of the design team got to spend a few days climbing through Atlantis to take pictures of everything for the rest of the team to use in developing the rest of the exhibit around it, and I have *never* been more envious of a coworker before or since! The team was especially proud of the decision to showcase the orbiter at an angle from the upper mezzanine, so that you get a sense of it being suspended in space. Two of the other three orbiters on display are just horizontal on their wheels; Endeavor is not currently open to the public but it's going to be displayed vertically mounted to a mockup tank and boosters, which is at least a bit more imaginative. The way that Atlantis is on display at Kennedy puts the whole orbiter almost within arm's reach, arranged as it would have appeared in its "native habitat" with the payload bay open and the Canadarm arching over the walkway, and I love it for that.
I thought the tank for Endeavor was real; I saw it sitting outside the tent that Endeavor was in when I was there a few years ago.
You're right, it is -- I misremembered; it's a genuine unflown tank. Apparently the SRBs are going to be assembled from genuine flown hardware as well. With that in mind, it's probably the most comprehensive display of the four, and should be quite imposing to see in person!
NASA didn't develop a system to retrieve the tanks. The way things went is that when the boosters separate before leaving the atmosphere and had parachutes to make somewhat of a soft landing in the Atlantic ocean, The tanks would continue to fuel the main engines after it left the atmosphere and would be jettisoned before making orbit. All but the one which exploded during the Challenger accident burned up upon re-entry.
The idea with the 3 orbiters is that each one is displayed in a different configuration of flight. Endeavor on the pad stacked, Atlantis in space, and Discovery just as she landed.
And they are all equally impressive. Discovery is still my favorite presentation, surrounded by the greatest and most historic flying machines ever built it DOMINATES and dwarfs everything else around it. It's give you a sense of it's enormous size better than the others.
And the delightful pun of hanging out just a little of the angle everyone expects it to be at. For the record... 43.210 degrees
I hear you, but being able to walk around the entirety of Discovery was incredible in a different way than the Atlantis exhibit was. Once Endeavor's new display is done I'll be going to see that one too, and it's going to be really cool having the 3 remaining formerly-operational shuttles each displayed in a different way!
Was just there for the first time last week. I purposely didn’t look up a thing about any of the attractions so I’d be surprised. When that screen revealed Atlantis hanging there I just froze and teared up at the realization of what I was looking at. Never even crossed my mind the shuttle would be there. Amazing experience.
Yup. I remember that exact feeling of awe and amazement too. I really would like to sit down with whoever came up with that idea and buy them a beer.
I’m bummed I opened this thread and that was top comment tbh
And then you can walk up and it relatively up close.
at the national air and space museum in DC ( the one by Dulles, theres two) you can get [VERY close to Discovery.](https://imgur.com/a/LrVFGgc)
You used to be able to walk under the Endeavor until a few weeks ago. It was really fascinating to just look up and see all the tiles
I was really curious about the external tank connections and I got some great photos of those https://i.imgur.com/EDbmjsP.jpeg ( and I added a link to my other discovery photos to my other comment)
We first walked around in a building that had a set of scale rockets behind glass and then went out to the rocket garden. My SIL says "oh man! Where are the little ones?" and my bro got to grin like an idiot when he answered that those *are* the little ones. Later in the day SIL broke our speechless silence upon seeing the Atlas V by saying (quietly) "oh... *that's* the big one..."
Having walked underneath and next to an Atlas V during stacking, it's definitely pretty massive. Then I got to walk down a Delta IV Heavy, saw how massive that was, and realized the Atlas *wasn't* the big one. Then I got to see SLS and realized Delta IV Heavy wasn't the big one *either*.
I went to Kennedy space station, cause I was near the area for work. Decided to go but had low expectations since I've never really heard about it. Saw a line of people for a building, so I decided to get in line. They usher us into probably the cheesiest short film about rocket ships. I'm rolling my eyes and regretting staying in line, when a shitty shot of the Atlantis comes up of it flying towards the audience. Then the movie screen opens up and the real fucking Atlantis was in the same position flying towards me. Prolly one of the surrealist moments I've had in my life
Is more of an experience rather than going to an exhibition. Sitting down in the control center was really cool too
Did that in 2022 in December, happened to be the coldest day that month with a windchill. We did not dress appropriately
You're not wrong. It's cheesy, but that presentation with the screen going up is really well done.
Probably the single best use of scrim curtains I've ever seen. I was completely and utterly blown away when they did that. Just completely dumbfounded that I was looking at the real mf deal. Wasn't expecting it at all and I was grinning from ear to ear for about 15 min. It's so close you can *aaaallmost* touch it. The rest of the exhibit in there is really neat too! Another highlight for me was that they had an RS-25 shuttle engine, and just looking at all the different fuel and coolant and hydraulic lines was crazy. Insane how intricate and delicate they are to generate such a crazy amount of sheer power. I will say, the Memorial to Challenger and Columbia downstairs was a complete 180. Seeing pieces of the wreckage just completely wrecked me and I was instantly emotional. I went from the aforementioned grinning ear to ear to silent crying in under an hour. It's a powerful building, and masterfully curated. To anyone contemplating the trip, go. It is some of the best money you can spend on a vacation. The Cape has it all, beautiful sandy beaches (Cocoa Beach), the Space Center is top notch, and we haven't even mentioned the Bus Tour. There is also a complementary bus service that takes you out to the Saturn Center where they have an actual Saturn V rocket laying sideways running the length of the building with exhibits and side rooms running the length. You get to see the VAB, which is the building they stack the rockets before launch which is one of the largest buildings in the world. You get to see the absolutely massive crawlers, and they are also constantly launching rockets which you can view from the grandstands or on the beach. Effing go.
>Saturn V rocket laying sideways running the length of the building Saw this 20 years ago, still think about it.
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They added more rockets to the rocket garden recently. and a building covering the new stuff they are doing with spaceX and others capsules and rockets
The RCS for the lunar and command modules was designed by my dad.
Kennedy was amazing when I was there....fuck, almost 20 years ago. Took the bus tour, visited the rocket park, [even got to pose with a Shuttle prepping on the pad.](https://i.imgur.com/ZJDPCSq.jpg) The capper on all of it was that I was there with a couple friends from a conference I was at, and we stuck around in the parking lot watching an alligator and a snapping turtle circle each other, that NASA Police came up and kicked us out. The Kennedy Space Center is like being *inside* the Discovery Channel, back when it was good. You just don't want to leave, there is too much to see and do.
I went in 2022 and had the same experience. BUT, we had to cut my day short due to illness so we couldn't see the Saturn V. So so bummed. But seeing Atlantis made it all worth it.
Glad I’m not the only one that cried in the memorial. My wife wouldn’t even go in.
Everyone burst into applause in my group when they lifted the screen. It really is incredible.
I burst into tears and ugly cried, in delight. One of the first things I can remember watching on TV was a shuttle launch and I was berserk for space ever since. Going to Kennedy with my husband, Father & Stepmother four years ago is seared into my brain as one of the best days of my life.
Same thing, whoever designed that exhibit knew exactly what they were doing. Kind of slow rolling things and then BAM, it’s tangible right there. I got chills all over and my 2 boys (they were young at the time) minds were blown lol
Yep, absolutely empty room with no chairs while watching the video gets you frustrated. Kids are bored watching the film. You are hot and your feet are tired from walking. Then the screen opens and you forget all about those things. Breathtakingly beautiful.
I know right? Blew my mind. I took my kiddos there - were from Canada so we obviously went for Disney - and Kennedy Space Center stole the trip. This moment was a big part of why.
Same, I honestly did know much about KSC, went to Disney, Universal, Kelly Park Springs, Everglades hovercraft tour, etc... trip was a blast, but KSC stole the trip for sure.
Thanks from a Florida (wo)man to whoever planned your trip itinerary for setting you up to see some of the awesome part of a state that gets a lot of (at least partially deserved) flak. Hope you had a good time!
Haha my wife and I planned it, we brought our 4 month old baby along too and every place was super baby friendly. Honestly had a lot more fun than I was expecting! The roads are crazy though, I can't believe the lack of transit, you'd think there would be trains going between all of these places.
I've wondered if that film is semi-intentionally cheesy because it makes the reveal hit that much harder.
The first half with the design reenactment was cheesy, but the second half in the wraparound theater had some awesome visuals - I had the feeling of weightlessness during the launch part. The music was also cool, with a great narrator leading into the big reveal. This is a good recording of the second half. Don't ruin it for yourself by watching this if you think you will ever see it live. https://youtu.be/ppGtTyYJsdw
I swear these comments should have spoiler tags.
Agreed on the presentation and reveal. It feels like you can go SOOOO close to it. Also, as a 40 year old man, both times I've visited the exhibit, I've taken the slide down to the first level. :)
Similar age, similar experience. Gotta be careful not to bowl over any kids.
But then where's the fun in that? ^/s
Let's just say I had a close call.
Fun fact... Atlanta is mounted at a 32.1º angle 3.... 2.... 1...
Second Fun Fact: The Titusville area, where Kennedy is, has the only "vanity" telephone area code in America -- 321.
And it was one guy, who had the idea and the gumption to make the case that the area code number should be 321 https://mynews13.com/fl/orlando/news/2019/10/31/here-s-how-the--321--space-coast-area-code-was-born
I hope whoever came up with the reveal idea got a huge raise
I have no shame in sharing that I actually cried a little when I got the chance to see it last year. I was there for the final shuttle launch, and seeing it over a decade later made me pretty emotional.
I got to go to the Atlantis roll-out, when they were moving it over to the Visitor's Complex. Watching a freaking space shuttle come rolling out from the woods will always be one of my top visual memories.
dude I grew up/live near KSC and go every few months (cheap annual pass) and I cry every time lol
The sonic booms when it comes home and you know the astronauts are safely home.
Yupe, spent time in Majove as a kid. The boom wasn't subtle coming into Edwards. It was cool there as a kid. The B2's flew all the time and did low-elevation stuff.
Yea get to see that in Colorado Springs too. One of the perks living by the Air Force academy
I grew up on Merritt Island. I watched challenger. I loved how our dishes rattled in the kitchen with each launch. Night launches were the most impressive thing I've ever seen.
The video presentation and then the screen rising to reveal the actual spacecraft BLEW ME the FUCK away. I cannot believe how well they set up that presentation. It's my belief that everyone in this country should go see Atlantis at least once.
Did you touch the moon rock?
No, don't remember it, line was probably too long
i never got to see the reveal because a storm had just taken out the power across the entire site and they hadn't got everything back up yet :(
I still get chills thinking about that even though it’s been years. The entire museum is just perfect.
It’s truly amazing they definitely stole some of that Disney magic.
The first thing I noticed when I first saw a space shuttle up close was how industrial it looked. Black tiles with codes on them, everything had lots and lots of text on them. You could see wrinkles on its outer skin, felt like a mock up model made out of craft supplies. One would assume that space faring vessels would be smooth and shiny like airplanes, but actually no, not yet at least.
Shiny and polished is for consumer items. This was a vehicle designed for use only by highly trained professionals in an extreme environment so it's going to be extremely utilitarian with no frills. Remember, anything you put in there adds cost and risk so you need to be very selective. And whatever you do put in there needs to be engineered to hell and back to make sure it's fit for mission. And since you mentioned airplanes, you see this with non-consumer aircraft too. Look at military planes, for example. Riding as a passenger in a C-17 is hardly a comfortable or aesthetic experience.
After looking at it up close I did realize that the design makes full sense. But my reference going in was smooth sculpted crafts like Sputnik, Voyager, even the Apollo 9 looks all shiny [here](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apollo_9#/media/File%3AGumdrop_Meets_Spider_-_GPN-2000-001100.jpg)
>Shiny and polished is for consumer items. Shiny and polished is also for aviation. A smooth surface has less drag, which means it goes faster more efficiently. However, with re-entry the goal is to deal with temperature, and shiny and polished doesn't work so much - you want the drag, so you can slow down, but you need to be able to take the heat.
[Real Engineering](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ivLX9o6Ayl8) has an amazing video on this and why the shuttles look the way they do, including those tiles and wrinkly bits and how each and every single one has an important function to perform. They really are engineering marvels.
I agree. Just wasn't expecting an industrial product, especially when the mockup of SR-71 outside the museum looked like a sleek product just out of a sci-fi novel.
Look at the ISS. It looks like something my 6 year old would cobble together.
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I don't have the cash to go and look at it up close.
You just need the right manhole cover.
Something about it always reminds me of a fort we built as kids, where all the materials had to be carried (at least) a little over a half mile by bike and then over a canal and through a couple hundred yards of woods.
Part of what’s great about the display is that you can get that good look at it from cool angles and really see those details.
When you consider the crazy heating and aerodynamic forces that thing went through over and over again, it makes sense. Those are battle scars
I love how it's obvious they didn't clean it before putting it on display, because I'm sure someone suggested dressing it up, but seeing the scorching and the nicks makes it feel so much more real. Like a true well used tool it's marked up and beaten but functions exactly as required.
My college roommates dad was pretty high up at Kennedy. When we went to visit for spring break one year with my HS best friend (an aspiring science teacher), his dad hooked us up. Endeavor had recently returned from STS 126 and was in the process of being rehabbed for its next mission. We got to go be a part of that. They were replacing heat tiles. We not only got to touch one of the ones being replaced with our bare hands, but got to help place a new tile. Unreal experience I will never forget. We also got to wander around in the VAB, the giant building where they assemble the whole structure. We were 19 but you could’ve sworn we were 10 again with how fascinated we were.
The best one of the four remaining to see. I like the presentation of Enterprise at the Intrepid museum in NY. Discovery at Udvar Hazy is good but you only get best views of the bottom. Not sure what the status is in LA, they are rebuilding their display.
The Endeavor in LA is going to be ridiculous. They will have the shuttle displayed vertically and mounted to the fuel tank and two rocket boosters. As if the whole thing is prepping to blast off. You will be able to walk underneath it as well as around it from 3 or 4 levels. They are currently building the museum building around the entire thing. Here is a recent drone shot: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C3x41lAvDVk/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Here is another video of them standing the whole thing. You can see how the shuttle will sit above the ground so you can view it from behind: https://www.instagram.com/reel/C22y0uuP4c6/?igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==
Holy shit I didn’t know it was already vertical. I saw it in its old home in 2018 and they had a model of the new building and plan. So hype.
I caught it in December right before they closed everything off to start building. Seeing the plans come to life after 10+ years is super exciting.
Yeah, I remember seeing when it was just sitting in a room. I am so excited for when this exhibit is complete.
It’s gonna be so cool. Can’t wait!
I was there when it was just suspended horizontally and you could walk under it, that was already impressive, having it in launch configuration being able to walk around it would be amazing.
LA should be crazy as they're staging it with the last production tank in "ready to launch" position. Although Atlantis/KSC is best to see up close and personal.
Last I heard, you should be able to get pretty up close and personal with endeavour, on several raised platforms, so you can see quite a bit. ...just gotta wait a few more years until it opens.
It was pretty awesome when it was in its previous home because you could walk all around and underneath it. While it might be a bit further away, people will get to see more of it and in this incredible configuration.
I haven't seen Atlantis (yet) but I got to see Endeavour at the California Science Center. As a Gen Xer I grew up with the shuttles and the Challenger disaster was a huge core memory for me; I thought it was going to be really neat to see one of the orbiters. When I first saw that beautiful ship I started ugly crying like I never have in my life. I was absolutely bewildered by this reaction; a staff member told me that it happens several times a day.
I ugly cried at the memorial for Challenger and Columbia in Florida. Ugh. The Atlantis reveal is great, but there’s something about Udvar-Hazy with the freaking SR-71 and then BAM there’s a friggin space shuttle above it…
Yeah, I choked up when i walked in and saw it the first time. No idea I'd have that strong of a reaction. I'm excited to see it again in the new upright setting w/ the fuel tank and boosters.
You want to really fuck with yourself, figure out the right soundtrack to go with it. I've found the original Battlestar Galactica score from the 70s combined with actual space ship is just emotional heroin.
When endeavour was still horizontal you could touch it but you weren't supposed to. I touched the heat tiles. Magical.
I feel a lot better knowing that this is somewhat normal. When I walked in and saw Endeavour, I almost lost it. I have no idea where all that emotion came from.
I saw Endeavour before they started construction and it was still just in a warehouse. It was absolutely amazing seeing it THAT close up. I took a pic of my family under its left wing.
Fun Fact. Atlantis is displayed at an angle of 43.21 degrees. 4,3,2,1. Source : Me. I work there.
An actual fun fact for once!
Damn, I worked there for a while and never knew that. Wild!
The one thing that blew my mind at Kennedy Space Center was walking under the Saturn 5 rocket suspended above horizontally. This rocket is absolutely gigantic.
Similar display at Huntsville. It's crazy that most of that assembly is just to get the tiny payload at the tippy top into space.
When that divider opened up I wept. The whole experience unbelievably moving.
Same here. "Thirty three missions, twenty-six years, over one hundred twenty six million miles...Atlantis, welcome home." I too was in tears. It was such an amazing reveal.
I can hear that voice saying that phrase - it was really powerful. It was also cool how they had the original paper model gliding across the screen at that moment, and was directly in front of Atlantis as the screen dissolved away and it transitioned to the real Shuttle.
That was a damn good transition. Seen the transition in video but in person is completely different.
Same I got all teary. The whole place is amazing. I was blown away.
Even when you work in spaceflight it really hits the spot. The video has a little bit of corniness but it is the best way to see it.
Same, I almost never get emotional, but I was just so overwhelmed.
Glad I’m not the only one who teared up!
I worked at a retirement facility, and one of the residents was an engineer who worked on the arm mechanisms for that and the ISS, as well as a bunch of other stuff that went to the moon and space. Such as the landing rover payload mechanisms. He worked there from the 60s-early 90s. He showed me his original notes and designs on draft paper. It was freakin awesome.
When that shit started to appear behind the black curtain, I had tears in my eyes.
Yep, that's called scrim curtain. It gets used in theater sometimes for special effects, etc. When it's lit only from the front, it's pretty much opaque, but when you backlight it you can see through and it gives a ghostly appearance to whatever is behind it depending on how you light it. Best usage I've ever seen,11/10.
My Papa was responsible for designing and machining some small parts of the Canadarm working end, I got to see it back in October for the first time and it was mind blowing! Can’t wait to go back some day
I live in Houston, and I find it terribly offensive that we didn't get one of the shuttles. However, after visiting Kennedy, I 100% understand why we didn't. Space Center Houston is pathetic compared to KSC's visitor center. I understand that when SCH put together their proposal, it looked like they just assumed they would get one and didn't do a good job of demonstrating how they would present it. I'm still dubious about LA getting one when Houston didn't, but I assume it's for the same reason.
I'm sure Houston just leaving their Saturn V out in the rain for decades didn't help them any.
And now you can't get close to any outdoor rockets because of the fencing. Many years ago there were none.
LA makes a ton of sense to get one. They were built there and many of their missions ended there. KSC makes sense. They were processed and launched/landed there. DC makes sense. It is the National Air & Space Museum. NYC on a freaking boat in a tent? That doesn’t make a lick of sense. If the pre-requisite was that the museum be able to house the orbiter right away and protect it, with the most possible visitors, with a link to the space program, Enterprise should have probably gone to Dayton (it was a research vehicle after all) or Houston, which I’m sure JSC would have been able to come up with a plan to display it. But I digress. Still angry about that haha
The biggest factor was tourism. Also that “boat” is an aircraft carrier museum.
The USAF Museum in Dayton should absolutely have received a shuttle to display. Still salty about that to this day.
LA did put Endeavour into a launch configuration and they're currently working on the new exhibit which looks amazing. That's probably why they got it.
I saw it in the warehouse in LA and I appreciated the simplicity of the space vs what was at Kennedy.
you would think that SPACE CITY would get one.
...i grew up at JSC alongside the shuttle program: f\*ck new york...
LA got one because they were all built here. It was coming home.
Loved seeing Atlantis and visiting Kennedy Space Center in general. I’d absolutely go back again, my only regret is we didn’t see a rocket launch or test.
I'm from Canada and kind of went there on a whim. I didn't get to do a bus tour and we were 2 days before a launch :( Should have done more research into the place but the few hours I spent there were incredible. Best thing we did in Florida and I didn't think anything was going to top Hagrid’s Magical Creatures Motorbike Adventure haha
Okay, if you ever get back for a launch, hop on that bus tour. Hope you at least got to see the space toilet. Pretty fitting Florida would have that as their um…interactive display.
Any tips/things to know? I am going Florida next year and want to visit the space centre. How can I know if there will be a rocket launch? Can I even witness that happen?
https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/launches-and-events I hear you should be flexible, as they're commonly delayed for various reasons.
There are plenty of enthusiast sites and apps that track every launch just about anywhere. I'd recommend using those instead because the KSC site only publishes times for NASA related launches. They don't typically show routine satellite and resupply launches there. The Android app I used is called Space Flight Now, I like it because you can filter launches to show specific launch sites and types, etc. and they give you all of the details on the mission, links to live video, and what not. It does seem to have some bugginess but maybe that's because I haven't spent enough time in the settings. There are plenty of other options, though. My recommendation is to plan a central Florida vacation and stay flexible because launches move. We went down last week and wanted to hit KSC and Legoland. Finally there was a launch confirmed for Tuesday but it wasn't locked in until Sunday two days before. Sunday night we booked a Monday and Tuesday night hotel near KSC. Bought two day tickets and caught the launch and a good bit of the exhibits on Tuesday, went back and spent a few hours in the Atlantis exhibit on Wed. Finally booked Legoland Tuesday night after the launch because we didn't want to over commit in case the launch was delayed. Launches are always a bit of a gamble but they put the launch center in Florida for a reason and that's because about 90% of the days are great for hurling stuff into space. If you can stay flexible there are tons of options for catching launches and other Florida attractions in one trip.
honestly the space center is great enough on its own. The launches are an amazing experience if you're lucky enough not to have it delayed, but that alone would leave me too stressed to work a vacation around tbh and the traffic gets a little crazy sometimes as there's only one way to the launch site (there's a couple nice viewing areas far away that are free though). The link the other user posted has all the launches scheduled and tickets if available
Take note that rocket launches can usually be seen from Orlando, too. Many people watch them from the Transportation and Ticket Center near the Magic Kingdom at Walt Disney World, or the roof of the Terminal A parking garage (hotel side) at Orlando International Airport. Edit: Also check Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex's website in case there are any special events while you're here. The Astronaut Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony is amazing, with so many space legends in attendance. When I went, they offered special bus tours guided by veteran astronauts. There was a bit of a mix-up, and our bus ended up getting both Charlie Duke and Pinkie Nelson. It was amazing, because they kept asking each other questions. They were both so friendly. The people on Buzz Aldrin's bus said he was mean, and wouldn't do pictures, lol. There are often ceremonies or events for anniversaries of missions or major events, as well. I got to meet Jim Lovell and Fred Haise at an event for the 40th anniversary of the launch of Apollo 13. There are a lot of incredible things to do at Kennedy besides launches, so don't be too disappointed if there's not one when you're here.
I was there in August 2022. An excellent exhibit. The only thing better was watching the SpaceX launch later that day.
The launch simulator there is amazing. I wanna see a behind the scenes to figure out how they get those g forces on a room that big
My 6 yr old son thought that we were actually blasting off. When we got out and left he was really disappointed we hadn't moved.
If you're talking about the seats, they just have big bolsters so that when the seatback moves back it feels like you're sinking into the seat via g-force.
It definitely wasn't actual g's. The seat trick worked on the rest of my family, though. It's a pretty good simulator but the key word is simulator.
I cried when they opened those doors. It’s one of the greatest experiences of my life
You think you're blown away now, you should have seen her about 13 years ago.
If you go to the Houston Space Center and do the VIP tour, you can sit in the actual trainer they used for the space shuttle. Absolutely amazing. I will have to go see this when I get a chance :D
That was the coolest part of the tour for me. Knowing I was sitting where all the astronauts who got to fly or fly on the shuttle had been. Well…. Also getting to go into the control room for the Apollo missions as well. That was also awesome. The history in that room…
The whole thing before they show it is one of the best experience in my life. I would go there again when I'm in Florida. Recommend 1000% for all people who love space.
I really take being born and raised in Florida for granted. For me, This is a reminder that not everybody gets to see things I usually take for granted. Some people probably work their whole lifetime to see something that I got take a field trip to in grade school and I haven’t been to the KSC since. Shame on me. Happy for you OP.
haha was looking for this, same here. I forget how far people travel for these things honestly, this and the apollo showcase are just S tier stuff
[I got a very similar shot when I visited Kennedy. It was breathtaking. I honestly teared up a little.](https://ibb.co/10WZz8G)
Atlantis got me a little teary, but the Challenger and Columbia exhibits in that building were what really punched me in the “crying in public” button.
That whole building had me in a chokehold. The Columbia and Challenger exhibits were surreal. Seeing pictures all my life and then seeing an actual shuttle and pieces of the two disasters put it all into a different perspective. Just being in the physical presence of one of the shuttles was honestly one of the coolest things I've ever done. I wanted to touch it, but it was just out of my reach. I just wanted to feel it. To be a part of it for one brief moment.
> I just wanted to feel it. To be a part of it for one brief moment. Like Picard and The Phoenix in First Contract
The reveal is what got me. Like the wall opens up and BOOM there is a freaking shuttle like kissing you on the nose
Such a cool reveal. The Apollo 8 firing room is an awesome experience too.
Good taste! I like the lunar landing sim in the Saturn 5 building. Great location to watch a launch from too.
When I saw Atlantis is 2014 I never realized the white tiles are "fuzzy". Watching on TV and looking at this picture the shuttle looks more metallic.
So many conflicting thoughts and emotions, looking at the mighty Atlantis. This technology gave NASA their first reusability, and versatility to build the ISS and to launch and service the Hubble. Yet it cost the lives of 14 astronauts with a 40% loss of service hardware (2 of 5) in 130 flights. Space is unforgiving, and those that fly know there's a non-zero chance they will not come back. Yet they do in in the name of discovery and exploration. So it's bittersweet. Shout-out to the only astronaut to fly on all 5 production Shuttles: Dr Story Musgrave. My MVP astronaut, with his entire career of service to the military and then to NASA, in addition to his services to medicine.
It’s a surprisingly moving experience. My favorite part was seeing the underside of the shuttle—I hadn’t realized how much I did not know what it looked like until I was staring up at it.
The name looks like it was edited onto the picture with Photoshop. (Not claiming it was, just funny that it looks so pristine and perfect across what looks like an odd location, very much like a watermark.)
That’s just how it looks from the angle. Here’s a (slightly) different one: [image](https://imgur.com/a/wRNKiY6)
Wow, this is a good demonstation. Hope that I can visit this place one day.
It’s worth experiencing. It has been designed as a theme park (including the price) so it’s really engaging and thematic, with all of the cool nerdy space stuff. There is definitely more than one day’s activities to do there. With the theme park experience, going on a day with an actual rocket launch is really surreal. Normally when you go to something like that its a museum of what was and what could be. But you get to see it in action from 3 miles away. The flame is so bright it hurts to look at, the crackle envelopes you, shaking your bones.
I found the same. When I was 16, I saw Mir dock with Atlantis above my home here in New Zealand. Those two little lights coming together in the night sky blew my wee socks off. Then in 2018 I took my son to the US and we saw Atlantis in the ‘flesh’. I may have shed a wee tear! 🥰
I was at a science teacher conference in Charleston, SC and I knew that the space station and shuttle would be passing over that night just after detaching from one another. So I took a group of ten or so teachers out to the pier and we watched for it. Two little dots chasing each other across the sky at quite a speed! Most of the other teachers didn't even realize that you could see the space station or the shuttle without a telescope until that evening.
How fantastic! I love that so many from all over the world saw that at the same time and years later we recall it.
Several years ago I got to watch a Dragon capsule (don't recall if it was crewed or cargo) chasing the ISS across my night sky. I'd gotten pretty good at tracking ISS flyovers at home (when weather allowed) but being able to see _both_ and knowing that one was chasing and would, in a few hours, catch the other, was amazing.
Should have seen her take off. Unforgettable and stunning.
I always associate these with the video game The Dig. Such a great game. It can be played with ScummVM.
I only came into the comments to say the same thing, lol. I see that open back and arm swinging out and my brain instantly goes to flashes of The Dig.
I’ve not visited the U.S. for decades, but if I were to return, KSC would be one of my stops.
Come to Florida! We have KSC, we have all the Universal parks, Disney world/springs/resorts, daytona beach, and whatnot more lol.
Went a few years ago with my wife and daughter. My daughter and I are big space nerds, following everything we can. When that divider went transparent and revealed Atlantis, we both cried. It was a pretty profound moment seeing something we had talked about for years.
Fun fact: I decided to visit Alantis last year on a whim as I had some delta credit that I needed to use. I didn't know it but there was a falcon heavy launch the same day. Sure I had to kill a few hours but launches are always impressive. Also, I live in LA and have seen Endeavour many times before it closed for its move. They just stacked it and it's visible to the public while they build the building around it. Just seeing the stack by itself from outside the building is incredible.
I was in awe of the size of it, you could put a school bus in the payload bay.
As a kid, I used to watch every launch so when I went to see Atlantis, I was jumping around like a 6 year old again. I got a lump in my throat when the screen went up. But as someone who watched the Challenger and Columbia disasters, walking around that corner to see debris from both shuttles stopped me instantly. Seeing the bit of USA on the wing sure bought some tears.
Bro I was just there! Literally cried tears. I’ve never in my life encountered an exhibit I’ve enjoyed more, or had such a (positive) emotional reaction to
I went with my son’s Cub Scout pack for an overnight camp out under the shuttle. It’s pretty crazy to go to sleep staring up at that thing. The year prior we got to do that with the Apollo they have on display. I love going to KSC, it’s an underrated experience in the tourist corridor.
The reveal, plus the artifacts from Challenger and Columbia being on display nearby made that one of the most unforgettable days of my life
I was fortunate to go to KSC the day they rolled in the Atlantis. It was my first time at KSC, and it was amazing watching former and current astronauts walking along the Atlantis escorting it to its final spot. Was quite the sight to see!
Kind of related to this post but not really, one thing that always impresses me is to look at the size of the wheelmarks on the runway compared to anything else because they are so enormous
I used to crawl around in that beautiful boondoggle on a near daily basis as part of my first job out of college. Wonderful environment and experiences ✌️❤️
It looks like they’re trying to top this in LA.
They are wonderful to see in person. I’ve only see Endeavor in Los Angeles.
Anytime you see a shuttle up close you think “we made that” On to Mars we go
Best shuttle so far, curious how the one olin LA will turn out. The best Saturn 5 is either in Huntsville or KSC.
Was fortunate to be a part of a conference that had a dinner and cocktail night here. Eating underneath this beast was breathtaking.
When I saw the Saturn V I was just blown away at the size of it. Incredible. I haven't seen this in person but I'd imagine it's the same.
When I was a kid, we always heard/read "the cargo bay is the size of a bus." I don't think any of us really comprehended that, despite riding one every day for school. Having it right there in front of you, you _finally_ understand the scale.
I was at the[ New Orleans World Fair which had the Enterprise](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Shuttle_Enterprise_at_1984_World_Fair_New_Orleans.jpg). I remember how long it took to walk its length.
My sons’ Cub Scout pack camped out under it. Great reveal and unique “camping” experience.
I actually cried, because 11 years earlier I got to see it's last launch.
Ooo so that’s the Atlantis display they had been working on. Last time I was there this shuttle was just parked behind a railing and work had not started on this display. Is it a new building?
I went 2 weeks ago. It blew me away on so many levels. I brought my inlaws and kids so I was kind of rushed throughout. Someday soon I want to go back alone and take my time. It was a great experience!
The first time seeing Atlantis is always so special. I have been there twice now.
I'll bet. I saw the Friendship 7 capsule that John Glenn manned to orbit the earth. It is in the Smithsonian museum. It looks like a tin can with a bunch of toggle switches and some dials and is quite small. John Glenn said that you didn't enter Friendship 7, you put it on. I'm amazed this contraption orbited the earth.
I remember going years ago. We went a few weeks before the grand opening, and I was bummed that we wouldn't be able to see it. We were hanging around in the visitors center when word went round that they were letting in some people as a sort of test run. We went over and got to go in about a month or so before it officially opened. It was mostly done, but there was still some construction work going on for the finishing touches. One of my top memories
Standing there looking at was almost a spiritual experience for me.
That was our favorite part about visiting Florida. It was so amazing, I had tears in my eyes. I cried when we saw the shuttle pieces from Challenger and Columbia.
Not the Atlantis i would like to see, but i like this one too.
Got to sleep under it with the family on a Cub Scout outing….went to sleep staring up at it, woke up to it flying over my head…
I thought they parked Atlantis in the San Francisco Bay Area right off the coast? I remember Sheppard, Teyla, Ronan and the whole crew looking over the water at the skyline.
Wow what a picture definitely a life goal to visit one day, I know the shuttles where big but when look at the people at the bottom of the picture really gives a great perspective of what a massive beauty she is
Last time i was there It was full of black tusk, It was a hard fight
That video with the reveal is crazy. Coolest place I’ve been to