Kennedy Space Center Visitor Introduces New Experience
Image: Courtesy of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
(eap) The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced “The Gantry at LC-39”, an interactive experience that reimagines the historic Launch Complex 39. The attraction, scheduled to open early this year, will showcase the location of LC-39 in the middle of a national wildlife refuge (the space centre is located in the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge) and highlight the connection between humanity’s great achievements and the beauty of planet Earth.
The Gantry at LC-39 will be accessible via the “Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour” and will offer a 360-degree view of Kennedy Space Center and the active launch pads, as well as a series of exhibits and experiences. The central theme, “Off Earth, For Earth”, will explore the relationship between technology and nature and underscore NASA’s ongoing mission to protect the Earth through space exploration.
“The Gantry at LC-39 is an exciting next step in our mission to inspire and educate the next generation of explorers,” says Therrin Protze, Chief Operating Officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “This new attraction brings the stories around NASA’s research to monitor our planet and innovative interactives to offer a deeper connection to the space program through a unique and dramatic lens. This attraction will excite and educate all ages.”
Specifically, Gantry at LC-39 will house the “Earth Information Center (EIC)”, where visitors can experience a theater show and an interactive exhibition about the changes on our planet, among other things. There will also be a viewing area from which visitors will be able to watch real rocket launches. Furthermore, there will be interactive stations: For example, guests will be invited to design and virtually launch rockets or explore certain launch complexes with the help of binoculars and information graphics. In the “Test Fire Simulation”, visitors will be able to stand under a full-scale rocket engine that simulates a static fire test so that guests can feel the power of a rocket ignition.
Families with children will find a great place to relax in the inner courtyard. There they will find animal play structures of sea turtles, alligators and an eagle’s nest to climb on, as well as displays that tell the story of the Kennedy Space Centre at the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge. A self-service restaurant is also planned.
Another new feature at the Visitor Complex is that cash will no longer be accepted at the cash desks throughout the complex from 6 January. If guests arrive with cash, they can convert it into a Visa prepaid debit card at “cash-to-card kiosks”. This change is intended to make payment transactions faster and more secure. ■
