Kennedy Space Center Updates (April 12 – May 4)

1. Space fans looking for the perfect way to spend the day of the SpaceX launch on April 14 will find Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex the ideal destination for space exploration. Visitors may enjoy a front row seat to view the launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the closest possible public viewing area, and from viewing areas at the Visitor Complex. Launch viewing is included in daily admission. The launch is scheduled for 4:58 p.m.

2. Space shuttle astronauts Shannon Lucid, the only American woman to serve aboard the Russian Space Station Mir, and Jerry Ross, the first human to complete seven space shuttle missions, have been selected for induction in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Lucid and Ross will be inducted into the Astronaut Hall of Fame at 3 p.m. May 3 during a ceremony at the Visitor Complex, joining the ranks of well-known space explorers such as Alan Shepard, John Glenn, John Young, Neil Armstrong and Sally Ride.

3. Camp Kennedy Space Center® offers campers in grades 2-11 unique adventures and learning activities that can’t be found anywhere else. This year’s theme – Space Shuttle Atlantis: From Sketch Pad to Launch Pad – focuses on the orbiter and the historical impact of its 33 missions into space. Along with many other activities, campers will experience the new home of Space Shuttle Atlantis, participate in a simulated Space Shuttle Mission, engage in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) activities, learn hands-on about the science of space travel, and hear real-life stories from a shuttle astronaut. Camp KSC runs Monday through Friday for nine weeks beginning June 9 and costs $295 per week per camper. For more information, call 866-870-8285 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com

4. The Visitor Complex has extended its hours of operation to 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. daily, now through Sept. 1. The Visitor Complex previously closed at 5 p.m. Since the opening of the $100-million Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction last year, there is more to see and do than ever before at the Visitor Complex. Guests can now spend a full day exploring the past, present and future of the U.S. Space Program.

5. Veteran NASA astronauts will meet with visitors at Astronaut Encounter:

• Space Shuttle Astronaut Dan Tani, April 12-15
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Jack Lousma, April 16-22
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Greg Linteris, April 23-25
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Charlie Walker, April 26 – May 1
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Susan Kilrain, May 2-4

For more information about these offerings, feel free to visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.