Kennedy Space Center Celebrates the Hubble Telescope

Since the Hubble Space Telescope first launched from Kennedy Space Center in April 1990, NASA’s observatory has unlocked the keys to the universe with hundreds of thousands breathtaking images of nebulae, star nurseries, black holes, quasars, and so much more. Beloved by millions of people around the world who have followed its trials and triumphs over the past quarter century, Hubble remains in orbit today, long exceeding its life expectancy.

In celebration of Hubble’s incredible accomplishments over the past 25 years, the Visitor Complex invites guests to participate in three days of special activities and events, including:

• A high-tech projection mapping show featuring 200 of Hubble’s most iconic images, as well as a photo gallery of large-scale, high-definition celestial prints.
• A host of fun, hands-on education and activity stations for all ages, including a full-scale Hubble replica, portable planetarium shows, 3D printing, infrared light simulation, a “flight” through the universe, simulations of Hubble’s focus and accuracy, a scale replica of NASA’s next generation space telescope, and more.
• Showings of the Hubble 3D IMAX movie, filmed in space by NASA astronauts.
• Presentations and Q&A sessions with NASA scientists, astronomers, astrophysicists and astronauts, including Dr. Sam Durrance, Dr. Eric B. Ford, Dr. Lisa Mazzuca and Dr. Weipeing Yu.

All of these exciting activities are included in admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and are free for annual pass holders.

“The 25 Years of Hubble event is unlike anything we’ve ever offered at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “For the price of regular admission, guests can take part in exciting Hubble-related experiments and activities, talk with experts in planetary science, see shows and films featuring Hubble’s incredible images, and so much more. It promises to be a fantastic event for the whole family.”

For a truly unforgettable Hubble experience, guests can opt to attend the exclusive Hubble After Hours Adventure on Friday, April 24 from 4-11 p.m. This one-time, separately ticketed event includes:

• A two-day ticket to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
• The opportunity to see the launch of a SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket, carrying the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSat telecommunications satellite, from just six miles away at the Apollo/Saturn V Center within Kennedy Space Center.
• An exclusive stargazing event supported by regional museums, planetariums and university-level astronomy clubs.
• A laser astronomy tour of the night sky by Derek Demeter of Emil Buehler Planetarium at Seminole State College in Sanford, Fla.
• A host of fun and hands-on education and activity stations for all ages, including a full-scale Hubble replica, portable planetarium shows, infrared light simulation, a “flight” through the universe, simulations of Hubble’s focus and accuracy, and more.
• A presentation and Q&A session with veteran NASA astronaut and astro-geophysicist, Dr. Sam Durrance.
• A high-tech projection mapping show featuring 200 of Hubble’s most iconic images, as well as a photo gallery of large-scale, high-definition celestial prints.
• Showings of the Hubble 3D IMAX movie, filmed in space by NASA astronauts.
• A delicious buffet dinner at the Debus Conference Center and an evening snack.
• A commemorative T-shirt and glow stick.

Tickets for the Hubble After Hours Adventure are $85 per person, adult or child, and must be purchased in advance. Launch dates are subject to change without notice, in which case, guests will receive a special bus tour of Kennedy Space Center.

Visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com to purchase tickets or to view the complete event schedule.

PHOTOS: © 2015 DNC Parks & Resorts at KSC, Inc. All Rights Reserved.