Updates from Kennedy Space Center (July 15-31)

1. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex recently celebrated the grand opening of Great Balls of Fire, interactive exhibit, which allows guests to discover the risks that asteroids, comets and meteorites present to our planet. The exhibit explores how we keep track of near-Earth objects while examining the effects of possible impacts. Within the Great Balls of Fire exhibit is Asteroid Encounter, where guests can climb aboard a “spaceship” and blast off to the asteroid belt and Jupiter while compiling data about asteroids and comets.

2. The Visitor Complex will celebrate the 45th anniversary of the historic Apollo 11 moon landing on July 20 with a special appearance by Bruce McCandless II, Apollo 11 capsule communicator and space shuttle astronaut. Guests can participate in a 1 p.m. – 2 p.m. meet-and-greet session with McCandless in Space Shuttle Atlantis. During a special Astronaut Encounter with McCandless beginning at 4 p.m. in the Astronaut Encounter Theater, guests will have the opportunity to relive the Apollo 11 moon landing and hear what it was like to communicate with the astronauts as they made that remarkable step into history. 

These events are included with daily admission to the Visitor Complex. In addition to enjoying these special events, Visitor Complex guests can relive the Apollo program at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, exploring and experiencing the accomplishments of the Apollo Program through dramatic multi-media shows and numerous hands-on displays that provide an inspirational and exhilarating look into America’s quest for the moon.  All Visitor Complex guests also will receive a special commemorative Apollo 11 pin recognizing one of humankind’s greatest achievements, landing on the moon.

3. Attention parents still looking for summer activities for the kids: 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 now through the week of Aug. 4 and costs $295 per week per camper.

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

• Space Shuttle Astronaut Susan Kilrain, July 15-17
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Jack Lousma, July 18-23
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Sam Durrance, July 24-25
• Space Shuttle Astronaut Marcos Pontex, July 26-31

As always, or more information, call 866-870-8285 or visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.