BC Visits the Kennedy Space Center
The Bus Tour
Coming back toward the Main Entrance Area, we headed over for
the Bus Tour. This tour takes visitors to LC-39, the Shuttle Observation Gantry;
the Apollo-Saturn V Center, and the International Space Station Center. First
Stop, LC-39.
As a child, I remember coming to KSC on school field trips and
riding the double-decker buses throughout the Center to the various exhibits.
While the bus tours still exists, it has been modified somewhat and the
beautiful 
double-decker
buses are long gone. Visitors still ride in air-conditioned comfort and video
monitors on the buses augment the driver's commentary but I have to admit I felt
like I was on public transportation during the ride from one area to another.
Gone were the comfortable, high-backed seats. In their place, hard transit type
seating with very little leg room between the seats. Naturally, those seats at
the front of the bus and at the side wheelchair lift areas are taken first as
they offer the most leg room. Overhead bins, much like those on airplanes can accommodate
oversized items. But if you are either tall, wide, or a combination of the two,
you will be a bit cramped in the seats. And don't forget to watch your head if
you have a window seat. I saw quite a few people knock their heads against the
low hanging video monitors.
Enroute
to the Launch Observatory, the route passes the Vehicle Assembly Building. The
VAB as it is known is the 2nd largest building in terms of mass in
the world. Only the Boeing/Lockheed plant in Seattle is bigger in square
footage. This building was originally used to assemble the components of the
Saturn and Apollo rockets and was later modified to handle the assembly of the
Space Shuttle. In the past, visitors were given tours inside the building. Now,
for security reasons, only authorized personnel are granted access.
Upon arrival at LC-39, visitors are directed into a short 
queue
for a multimedia presentation on the launch program. WOW. Feels like the shuttle
is going up right outside the building. As you exit this presentation, numerous
exhibits on the shuttle program give visitors even more insight into the Space
Shuttle and its' behind the scenes work. A scale model shows how the shuttle is
serviced on the pad and how payload can be safely loaded or worked on while
awaiting launch.
Outside, a quick elevator ride takes you to the top of the
observation gantry. Here you have a view of the shuttle on the launch pad. We
were especially lucky since two shuttles were on the pads awaiting lift off.
Endeavor had just rolled out the day before. You could still see the deep
indentations in the Crawler Way gravel. Top speed at rollout is approximately 1
mile an hour and it is an 8 - 10 mile trip to the pad, depending on which pad
will be used. This lends new meaning to an all day trip.
Next stop - The Moon
