Kennedy Space Center

It has been almost 14 years since we were last at the Kennedy Space Center and it has changed alot, I was kind of worried I was going to be bored and following Ron around but it was very interesting.

They first took us to the Launch Complex 39 observation site where the shuttle is getting ready to go Dec. 17th. Some people had planned their holidays just to see the launch which was supposed to be Dec. 2nd but we were just excited to see it getting ready.

So 30 days before launch the crawler seen below brings the shuttle which is already attached to the big fuel tank and the two rocket motors out to the launch pad. It travels about 1 mile an hour so takes all day to get there.

Once they get it there it is surrounded by a work station for final procedures and protection. When the day comes that big grey structure swings open and they get ready for blast off.

From the launch site they took us to the Apollo/Saturn V Center which featured the huge 363 foot moon rocket. There was also a theatre that took us to the moon.

The lunar lander.

The Apollo 14 Command Module.

From here they shuttle you back to the main visitor complex, first thing we did was an Imax showing of the Space Station 3D, felt like you were right in space.

This is called the rocket garden.

Back to another Imax showing this one the Hubble 3D telescope, oh my goodness it was really amazing seeing some of the pictures it is taking in space, talk about feeling very little.

This is the hubble telescope(picture of), which is just about finished and going to be replaced by

the following picture, they say it will take so much better pictures, that will be amazing.

Had a look through the Explorer spaceshuttle and then they had a new simulator ride that showed you what it felt like during take off, it feels like your face is going to be ripped off but was very exciting.

Our final show was a Star Trek adventure (audience involved), the little girl in front of us was chosen to participate, once on stage the Vulcan took the little girl in the space tube and of course they disappeared and on a side screen it showed them on a beach. When she came back to sit down her little sister (about 6) says "Did you really go to the beach? Was it hot there?" Was so cute.

Got home and heard the cruise ship blow its horn so ran out to watch it go by.

Good day.