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Kennedy Space Center

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Editor Pick

LC39 Observation Gantry: Get Up-Close and Personal with Space Travel

  • February 13, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Troobabiee7 from Brooklyn, New York
LC39 Observation Gantry: Get Up-Close and Personal with Space Travel

The LC39 Observation Gantry is the first stop of the Kennedy Space Center bus tour. Located around two-miles away from the Visitor Complex, this area brings you as close as you can get to the launch pads and space shuttles of the Center, without paying extra for a behind-the-scenes tour. On our trip to the Kennedy Space Center, this was our first real stop and we couldn't have been more excited! It took fifteen-minutes to get from the bus depot of the Visitor Complex to the LC39 Observation Gantry, and it was a fun and interesting ride. We saw many unique sites along the way, including the Launch Control Center (where launches are generated and observed) and the Vehicle Assembly Building (where the space shuttles are actually built).

The "LC" in LC39 stands for Launch Complex, making this the 39th complex in the history of the Kennedy Space Center. The LC39 Observation Gantry is 60-feet tall and provides amazing views of the two main launch pads, as well as the rest of the complex and the surrounding nature preserve. None of the attractions at the Kennedy Space Center (or all of central Florida, for that matter) are simple, so there were several different pre-shows we went through before we could go to the top of the tower.

Upon arriving at the observation deck, we were ushered into the main building with 20-or so other people who also got off the bus at this stop. Here we found a replica of the Discovery shuttle, which was scheduled to launch only a few days later. The replica included an entire mini-version of the launch pad and shuttle, as well as the LC39 Observation Gantry off in the distance in order to show us the distance between the two to scale. It was amazing seeing the detail put into this model, as it was an exact replica of the Discovery. There were also posters and pictures of the shuttle, as well as billboards full of information on the Discovery and it's impending launch. By this time the shuttle launch had already been delayed twice, and there was plenty of information as to why. We were free to spend as much time as we wanted taking in the information, before heading up to the observation deck.

After 20-minutes we decided to head on upstairs. Be prepared - the Observation Gantry is a good five-stories high so be ready to walk those stairs! There's an elevator for anyone who needs it, but they really recommend taking the walk. I do too; there are railings and platforms surrounding each staircase which provide a unique perspective out over the surrounding land. Once at the top, the view was unbelievable! The main attraction was definitely the two launch pads off in the distance - Launch Pads 39A and 39B. Launch Pad 39A held the Discovery, and it was surreal getting to see an actual space shuttle ready to be launched into space. It was one of the coolest things I've ever seen! If you need to travel on specific dates then visit the Kennedy Space Center whenever you can. However, if your dates are flexible be sure to plan your trip around the launch of a shuttle. An empty launch pad is cool, but an actual shuttle on the launch pad, days before it's launch, is unreal!

Launch Pad 39B was empty on the day of our visit, but there was a staff member on the observation deck telling everyone how it was the pad that Apollo 11 (the shuttle manned by Neil Armstrong on the first mission to the moon) was launched from. There was an incredible sense of history in the air, and rightfully so. From the top of the Observation Gantry you also have an amazing view of the nature preserve surrounding the Kennedy Space Center. The water was a clear, bright blue and the palm trees perfectly swayed in the breeze off to the distance. It was gorgeous, and added an extra touch of magic to the entire experience!

After a good half-hour of taking in the sights and talking to the KSC employee about the launch pads and Discovery launch, we decided to head back downstairs. Even if you take the elevator to the top of the Gantry, try to walk back down. Right in the middle of the staircase is an actual engine from a space shuttle and this thing was HUGE! It was amazing to see (you could get right up in front of it), and even more amazing to know that each space shuttle has around four of them. It really cements the fact that those shuttles are amazing feats of engineering.

Be sure not to miss the LC39 Observation Gantry on your next trip to the Kennedy Space Center! Regardless of how many artifacts and pieces of memorabilia you see in the many museums around the complex, there really is nothing like seeing the real thing. Try to plan your trip around a shuttle launch if you can, because the sheer size and design of a shuttle on it's launch pad is truly something to see. Even if you're not visiting during a launch session, the Gantry is still a great site to visit for the sheer beauty of the view and the true sense of history in the air.

From journal The Kennedy Space Center: Where Imagination Takes Flight

Editor Pick

Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours: An Added Experience

  • February 13, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Troobabiee7 from Brooklyn, New York
Kennedy Space Center Bus Tours: An Added Experience

When visiting the Kennedy Space Center, it really is worth getting the Maximum Access Badges since they provides access to the bus tours that bring you farther out into the complex, and into otherwise restricted areas. Priced at $38 for Adults and $28 for Children, the Maximum Access Badges give you the complete Kennedy Space Center experience, which is completely worthwhile. You can even purchase these tickets from the Space Center's website and print them out from right at home. We got the Maximum Access Badges for our day at the facilities, and the very first thing we did was take the bus tour.

The Kennedy Space Center is absolutely huge, making many interesting exhibits, museums and observation decks out of walking distance. In order to reach them you have to take a bus tour, which is only included in the Maximum Access Badge admission. On our trip to the center, the first thing we did after passing through security was make our way over to the buses. The bus station is located in the main visitor complex, directly to the right of the main entrance and security building. Several tour buses leave from this same location, but only the Kennedy Space Center tour is included in your admission. Bus tours leave every 15-minutes, and there is a countdown clock located in front of the main terminal, telling guests when the next bus will arrive.

Luckily for us, a bus was set to leave in only ten-minutes so we quickly got on line to board. As authentic and unique as the Kennedy Space Center is, they can't seem to avoid the cliche of all central Florida attractions - the "on-ride photo." Before boarding the bus, my family and I were told to stand in front of a space-themed background for a group photo. It took no more than a minute, but was a pretty cheesy photo-op considering how seriously NASA wants people to think about the Center. The photo was also (expectedly) ridiculously overpriced, with a single 5x7 photo costing $22. No thanks! We passed and boarded the waiting bus.

One of the best things about the Kennedy Space Center Tour is that there were video screens set up around the bus that played interesting videos as we made our way around the facility. As soon as the bus was full and we were on our way, a video began to play telling the history of the KSC and how far the facility has come. It was both interesting and entertaining, if not hard to hear. The bus was full of a middle-school aged tour group, and unfortunately the kids were disruptive and disrespectful. They were not only screaming and singing throughout the entire ride, but they continued to glare at and even touch other guests. Two girls sitting in front of my mother and I kept flinging their hair back behind their seats, and then turning to see if they hit us with it. It was completely ridiculous and nothing was done about it (by their chaperone's or the bus driver) until I said something to them myself. I would highly recommend avoiding the month of July when it comes to visiting the center, since I've heard from several friends that these types of encounters with tour groups aren't unusual during that month specifically.

The Kennedy Space Center bus tour passes many interesting and unique sights on its way to the three main stops. We saw the Launch Control Center (where space launches are planned and monitored), the Vehicle Assembly Building (where space shuttles are built and maintained), and several Crawlers (giant, spider-like machines that are used to slowly move space shuttles from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pads). As we passed each sight, the video displayed unique stories and interesting background information corresponding to what we saw at the time.

The main bus tour makes three designated stops - the LC 39 Observation Gantry, the Apollo/Saturn V Center and the International Space Station Center. You can get off at as many stop as you like and stay for as long as you want. Buses come and go from each facility every 10-minutes or so, making it easy to get from one stop to the next, and back to the Visitor Complex.

If you're looking for a more in-depth experience, the Kennedy Space Center also offers additional bus tours, for an extra charge. The NASA Up-Close Tour ($21 Adults, $15 Children) gets you as close to the space shuttles and observation decks as possible, while the Cape Canaveral: Then and Now Tour ($21 Adults, $15 Children) allows you to see the space shuttles, rockets and launch pads of the past, as well as the current and future innovations of the Center at the Air Force Space and Missile Museum.

No trip to the Kennedy Space Center is complete without a bus tour. The main tour (The Kennedy Space Center Tour) is included in admission and brings you to some of the most unique and exciting parts of the facility, letting you get closer to the actual space shuttles and equipment used in missions than anything at the Visitors Complex does. I highly recommend this tour! If you're looking for some added fun (and you have a little extra dough to spend) also consider the more personal tours that cost more but provide an even more unique experience.

From journal The Kennedy Space Center: Where Imagination Takes Flight

Editor Pick

The Kennedy Space Center: An Overview

  • February 12, 2009
  • Rated 4 of 5 by Troobabiee7 from Brooklyn, New York
The Kennedy Space Center: An Overview

The Kennedy Space Center is America's premiere space facility. Located in Cocoa Beach, Florida, it's a huge complex of space shuttles, launch pads, museums and astronaut encounters located only 1-hour from the popular attractions of central Florida. Looking for something a little more authentic than theme parks on your Florida vacation? The Kennedy Space Center is owned and operated by NASA, making the facility a unique and exciting experience for space buffs and novices alike.

We decided to visit the Kennedy Space Center during our month-long trip to Florida in 2005. My family and I have always been fascinated by space travel and the solar system, so the Center was a natural fit on our trip. We stayed in Orlando that year and took the hour-long drive on a Saturday afternoon in August. One thing to know about the area surrounding the Kennedy Space Center is that it's absolutely gorgeous! The entire northeast coast of Florida, known as the Space Coast, is a protected nature preserve, making the streets almost glisten. It was great driving up the coast from Orlando and getting to see the swaying palm trees, soaring birds and clear blue water all under the bright blue sky full of puffy white clouds. It was gorgeous!

Once we got to the Kennedy Space Center, we went about buying our tickets. We decided to wait until we got to the gate to purchase ours, but I'm a big advocate of buying tickets in advance. The Center was relatively crowded on the day of our visit (especially with south American tour groups) and we waited a good twenty-minutes to buy our tickets. You can easily purchase tickets online at the KSC's website, or you can find discounts through AAA and the Mousesavers.com website. There are two different ticket options to choose from - the Astronaut Hall of Fame admission tickets which only get you into the Hall of Fame ($17 Adults, $13 Children) and the Maximum Access Badge that gets you into the Astronaut Hall of Fame, 3D Shows, Bus Tours, and the rest of the entire complex ($38 Adults, $28 Children). We went with the Maximum Access Badges, which I highly recommend as the facility is full of many exciting and hands-on attractions that can only be experienced with this admission.

As can be expected, security at the Kennedy Space Center is TIGHT! Due to the fact that it's an actual, working NASA facility, they can never be too careful. The longest line we waited on all day was probably the security line! There's an entire building dedicated to security right after the ticket gates. We had to open all of our bags (pocketbooks, makeup, camera, etc.) and pockets, empty all metal items onto a cart, and walk through a metal detector. There were also hand-held scanners and some people had to take off their shoes. It was pretty much like going through airport security, so just be prepared! It wasn't at all invasive, and it kept everyone safe.

Once entering the facility, there's a whole world of things to see, do, and explore! With our Maximum Access Badges we first took a bus tour to the LC-399 Observation Deck where we saw a space shuttle on it's launch pad, before taking the bus over to the ApolloSaturn V Center, where we learned the history of (and saw artifacts from) the various Apollo and Saturn space missions. We then headed back to the main facility where we saw a 3D show and admired the Astronaut Memorial (dedicated to all Astronauts who lost their lives in space), before driving over to the Astronaut Hall of Fame.

The Kennedy Space Center is a truly amazing place, and a very unique experience. Whether you're interested in space or not, it's one of the only places in the world where you can be a part of the American space industry... viewing space launches, meeting astronauts, and all.

From journal The Kennedy Space Center: Where Imagination Takes Flight

Editor Pick

NASA Up Close Tour - Not Enough Time

  • January 16, 2009
  • Rated 5 of 5 by Sask99 from Melville, Saskatchewan
The Kennedy Space Center is definately a place well worth going to. We booked the NASA UP CLOSE tour through our cruise ship which brought us right from the dock to NASA and back again.

As soon as our ship docked we were escourted to our tour bus and had a tour guide who pointed out sights of interest on the way and gave us interesting information. Once at NASA, we were guided thru security and to our tour bus which took us around the grounds for a closer view of the space shuttle launch pads, the vehicle assembly building, and the apollo/saturn v center. The bus tour was fully guided by a gentlemen who worked for NASA for many years. He also pointed out the alligators and the armadillos on the sides of the road.

We then had free time (but not nearly enough of it) to check out the visitor center, IMAX, rocket garden, etc, etc. Do not miss the shuttle launch experience (unless maybe you get motion sickness) as it felt very realistic and is extremely well narrated. Be sure to follow the instructions and use the lockers provided for all your loose items, as someone in our group didn't and their cellphone went sliding during the launch simulation. There is also a huge "space shop" to buy a wide variety of souveniers - and not just your ordinary stuff.

If we had this to do over again, I probaby would skip the outside tour and view more of the exhibits. We found out later that booking the tour thru our cruise ship cost an extra $50 each that was basically for the transportation to and from the ship. I would like to go again but from land so that we can spend the whole day at the KSC.

Very cool and a great place to visit for all ages. I even got to touch a moon rock.

From journal Cruise to the Bahamas

Editor Pick

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Part2

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Part2

The Kennedy Space Center offers a tour that will take you from the main visitor area to three different buildings that they have on property. Each stop offers a chance to see first hand into the past, present, and future of the space program. Shuttle buses take passengers from stop to stop while playing a movie in between on the history of what can be found at the next location. The commentaries from the videos are wonderful (they really know how to build excitement) and sometimes even better then the actual stops. The lines can get long and at peak seasons expect to spend minimum of half an hour in line waiting for a bus.

The first stop is the LC-39 Observation Gantry: This is just an observation deck where you can see various launch pads. If you have the time stop for a look around. The launch pads are very far from where the actual observation center is so for a closer look bring binoculars. All of the launch pads were used in the past, for former missions into space, but you can catch a glimpse of the one the is used today and if you are lucky and are there when they are getting ready to launch a shuttle you can actually see if on a launch pad. If you are short on time this stop can be missed.

The next stop on the tour is the Apollo/Saturn V Center. On the way there the shuttle goes by a crawler, which takes the shuttle to the launch pad, and you can see the actual NASA building. There are also short movies that you can watch on the way to the next stop. This center we were told was the best by all of the bus drivers. When you get off you go into a building and watch a movie on Apollo and then go into another room and watch a reenactment of the actual launch of Apollo 11. This is really well done and you really feel like you are there. After that you go into another room were you see a Saturn V rocket. There are other activities here as well. You can also eat lunch here. Expect to spend $10 per person and get food that makes cardboard taste good. The food made me feel bad for the astronauts, because if NASA was feeding us this, what were they giving the astronauts?

The final stop is the International Space Station Center where we got to watch scientists work on additions for the International Space Station that is currently in orbit. Most people agreed that this stop was one of the best on the tour.

From journal Disney World, Oh and Other Things in Florida

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