ULA Engineer Presentation at Kennedy Space Center

Guests visiting the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will be able to hear about the events leading up to the October 30 Atlas V rocket launch from United Launch Alliance (ULA) avionics engineer Art Meraz during an interesting series of presentations at the Visitor Complex on October 27-30, 2015. Art Meraz will share with Guests a step-by-step look at all the different stages of the Atlas V rocket launch from liftoff to deployment of a GPS IIF-11 satellite. 

Meraz will also offer an insider’s look at all the companies and worldwide locations involved with the development and production of an Atlas V rocket. During his talk, visitors will learn about the importance of the GPS IIF series, which not only provides high-quality navigational assistance for the U.S. military, but also serves everyday users with accurate time and location information. This marks the 11th launch of 12 GPS IIF satellites for the U.S. Air Force.

A member of the ULA team since 2008, Meraz currently works out of Vandenberg Air Force Base, Calif., as a launch operations avionics engineer on the Atlas V and Delta IV rockets. Before starting at ULA, he served eight years in the U.S. Air Force, working on sophisticated avionics technology on fixed and rotary wing aircraft.

The presentations are included in admission and will take place in Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted. Guests will have several opportunities to hear from Meraz leading up to launch day. Here's the schedule:

• Tuesday, Oct. 27: 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
• Wednesday, Oct. 28: 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
• Thursday, Oct. 29: 12 p.m., 1 p.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.
• Friday, Oct. 30: 10 a.m., 11 a.m., 3 p.m., 4 p.m.

On Oct. 30, guests can experience the stunning sights and powerful sounds of the Atlas V rocket launch at 12:17 p.m. ET, with  launch viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center located within the secured areas of Kennedy Space Center, as well as a viewing area at the main visitor complex.

Admission to the visitor complex is $50 plus tax for adults and $40 plus tax for children 3-11. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission tickets may be purchased here or by calling 877-313-2610.