Reliving the golden age of space travel at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

by Graham McKenzie

As it is only a forty-five-minute drive from the Orlando/Kissimmee area, why I have I not been to Kennedy Space Center (KSC) before?

I suppose my initial thoughts were that it was a glorified theme park, milling with screaming children – not something that appealed to me unless I had some of my own along. Don’t get me wrong there are a lot of high-volume children and there are many things to do which are aimed primarily at the younger generation.

I myself got beaten very badly by a random 11-year-old from Baltimore on the HyperDeck. It’s a Virtual Reality game that transports you to the Moon and then have to shoot rocks to mine valuable minerals. Result: Jonah 14,525 units – Graham a meagre 8,800. The bottom line is that the KSC is good for kids but even better for adults.

I’m from a generation that was woken up as a very young schoolkid to watch the ‘one small step for man, one giant leap for mankind’ moment. If you are as well then you can immerse yourself in virtually everything Apollo including the tragedy of Apollo 1, the success of Apollo 11 and the drama of Apollo 13.

All from the place where the Saturn V rockets were ignited and sent man to the Moon.  You can further explore iconic landmarks such as the Saturn V Center, where the towering rocket serves as a reminder of humanity’s bold ventures beyond Earth’s atmosphere. Exhibits detailing the Apollo missions and the Space Shuttle programme offer a comprehensive overview of NASA’s achievements, while interactive displays allow visitors to delve into the complexities of space travel.

For those with a passion for science and technology, KSC offers an unparalleled learning experience, with behind-the-scenes tours and expert-led presentations shedding light on the inner workings of space exploration.

Book in advance and you will have the privilege of getting up close and personal with a real-life space traveller. I was lucky enough to have, along with about ten other individuals, a personal audience with Jan Davies who flew three Space Shuttle missions. It was fascinating.

Getting humans on the Moon is now on the itinerary again with the recent launch of the first commercial lunar flight and the NASA programme Artemis which is due to take off towards the end of next year. Artemis, named as she was the twin sister of Apollo in Greek mythology, has exciting plans to establish a permanent base on the surface of the moon. The rockets that will support this will be launched from Kennedy Space Center.

Talking of launches it is well worth consulting your diary as they appear to happen a lot more than in the past with quite regular events taking place. There are lots of vantage points around the vicinity but to witness one close up, well three miles away, must be a once in a lifetime experience.

The centre really demands a two-day visit and unless you have committed to accommodation elsewhere then try the Courtyard by Marriot. It is just across the bridge from Merritt Island where the centre is located. It takes maybe five minutes to drive. Not only is the location very convenient but the hotel is totally space themed, has excellent views across to the launchpad, and a lovely swimming pool (which even in February I used). There is also a fabulous roof top bar come restaurant and each bedroom has a very trippy lighting arrangement to get you in that interstellar mood.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex fosters a sense of wonder and curiosity that transcends age barriers. Children, in particular, are captivated by the interactive exhibits and hands-on activities. From simulating a space shuttle launch to exploring a replica of the International Space Station, young visitors are encouraged to let their imagination run wild and reach for the stars. For adults it’s a trip down memory lane with an eye to the future and if you take children, you are likely to participate in things you would have never done in an adult only group.

As the people in charge would say “At NASA, we make Air and Space available for everyone.”

Graham’s trip was arranged by Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and Visit Florida

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