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Travel Talk
by Francine Brokaw
Kennedy Space Center
In the early 1960s when John Kennedy challenged the country to put a man on the moon and deliver him back safely to the earth by the end of the decade, NASA rose to the occasion and met the challenge, however not without difficulties and set backs. But by July 1969 Americans were on the moon.
Kennedy Space Center in central Florida is the place where it all comes together. KSC is part of the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station and is the one place in the world where visitors can see the actual launch pads from which every American manned space ship has been launched. KSC is a big place - 220 square miles. That’s roughly one-fifth the size of the state of Rhode Island!
Visitors to the KSC Visitor Complex step back in time to relive the history of this exciting place. From the first rockets to a real life size space shuttle in which visitors can walk, every aspect of our country’s space exploration is evident. And, if you are lucky enough to be there around the time of a launch whether it’s a shuttle or a rocket, by all means make an effort to stay and watch it. It is a remarkable event to see (and feel) a launch, and something to be remembered for a lifetime.
A day at KSC includes a bus tour out to the various buildings and launch pads, with your driver acting as tour guide. Some of the stories they tell are amazing, clever and insightful and add to the fun of the tour. Stops on the tour include the International Space Station building where you can see various parts of the ISS being prepared to be launched and added to the growing station. Another stop is the Apollo/Saturn V center, which also includes an interesting film about the landing on the moon. The audience gets a first hand look at how it looked when the ship touched down on the moon. The tour goes by the VHB (Vehicle Assemble Building), a gigantic structure where the shuttle is assembled before launch. (This is the tallest single story building and one of the largest buildings in the world.) It also travels by the Launch Control Building and the route where the transporter crawler slowly takes the shuttle from the VAB to the launch pad. This tour gets you right where it all happens. And, while traveling through the center keep your eyes peeled for an alligator or two. After all, this is swamp land! Yes, even though this is one of the most technologically advanced areas in the world, it sits on a wildlife area and in Florida that means plenty of gators!
In the Rocket Garden you’ll have the opportunity to get close to all the different rockets that have been used to take people and items into space. Walk around these amazing pieces of history and relive the space race of the 1960’s. The complex includes IMAX theaters where some first-run films take audiences into the vastness of space and the history of NASA. The Early Space Exploration building traces the steps of the past for a true historic overview of the early years at NASA. And KSC has the largest store devoted to space memorabilia and items.
When planning a trip to KSC plan on staying at least one full day, as there is so much to see, learn and experience. There are exhibits and areas to explore at your own pace, as well as the different films and tours. Admission includes the KSC tour, IMAX films, all exhibits and attractions and even a second consecutive day! If you can, add a “Lunch With an Astronaut” to your day. This is a unique experience with not only a lovely buffet lunch, but also a chance to meet and talk with an astronaut and hear about his/her experiences. When we were there, Payload Specialist Charlie Walker joined us for an informative discussion about his three trips aboard the space shuttle. He was mesmerizing, describing events in a way we could really understand and made us feel like we were there. At least we had a clear image of his time aboard the shuttle. Believe me, it’s well worth it - and the lunch was delicious too!
For kids today, traveling into space is a normal activity. They don’t remember a time when we haven’t been traveling into space – and they don’t remember vinyl records or 8 track tapes either. But there was a time not too long ago when space travel was almost science fiction. It took a dream, imagination, and the best minds in the country to get us off the planet into space, and now we are preparing to return to the moon and even venture to Mars.
The Kennedy Space Center is a place both children and adults will enjoy because there is so much to see and do there. In the summer there are week-long day camps for kids age 8-14, giving them an up close and personal look at life as an astronaut. It’s only about 45 minutes from Orlando,and out of this world.
© 2006 Francine Brokaw
All pictures ©Roy Brokaw
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