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BC visits the Kennedy Space Center

We arrived around 8:40 and the Center didn't open until 9am. We used the time to explore Information Central. In this central location, visitors can view aerial photographs of the Space Center, get information on upcoming Launches, and sign up for personalized tours of the Space Complex. This is also where you can rent equipment for the audio tour. The audio tour is available in 7 different languages, including English. If you hate reading display signs, this is the way to go. Just push the corresponding button to the display and you've got a complete description of what you are seeing. This is also a great way for our international visitors to get the most from their visit.

Inside Information Central, there is also a great display honoring John F Kennedy, for whom the Center is named. Throughout your visit, you will see and hear so much about how JFK influenced America's journeys into space. President Lyndon Johnson's contributions are also well noted.

As a small crowd was gathering, the staff decided to open early. When I inquired about how large a crowd they were expecting, the said they were anticipating minimal visitors since a launch was scheduled for the following day. (December 15, 1999) They are always packed on launch day.

Exiting Information Central, we headed through the courtyard area toward the Launch Status Center and Shuttle Plaza. Many of the exhibits surrounding the courtyard were closed for renovation. The courtyard is also surrounded by two gift shops, one closed for renovation/expansion, and several restaurants. Walking through the courtyard brought back many memories of my visits while in school. Things had certainly grown over the years. But then again, so has our space program.

At the Launch Status Center, you can view equipment from actual shuttles. On display is an actual Coke dispenser flown in space. More technical displays included computer components, storage facilities, and living quarter displays. There was also an extensive display on the construction of the shuttles, including a cross section of the booster rockets and the infamous "O-Rings". Live briefings are held throughout the day on the current launch status.

While waiting for me to finish my inspection inside the Launch Status Center, Hugh ventured outside. In the nearly deserted early morning hours, a rather large armadillo scampered across the Shuttle Plaza. This was to be the first of many interesting wild life sightings.

At the Shuttle Plaza, you can board the Space Shuttle "Explorer", which is a full scale orbiter replica. A Launch Gantry leads you to the various levels of the shuttle, including the "Payload Bay", "Flight Deck", and Living Quarters. Walking underneath the Shuttle, you can see the intricacies of the protective tiles and just how massive the tires and landing gear. When I was in high school, I dated a guy whose father worked on the braking systems for the shuttles. WOW!!! Did he have his work cut out for him!

Also on display at the Shuttle Plaza, and visible as you enter the Parking Area, are actual booster rockets and fuel tanks used on shuttle missions. The rockets on display were recovered after a successful launch.

To the left of the Shuttle Plaza is the Astronaut Memorial. All the astronauts who have given their lives in pursuit of our quest to explore and conquer space are listed here. One cannot help but get a bit emotional as you view the "Space Mirror" and surrounding monuments to those brave souls called Astronauts.

Continue on board the Bus Tour - Click here.