Kennedy Space Center readies for new attraction
Floridians looking for an out-of-this-world experience have an abundance of opportunities to take a journey to another stratosphere in their own backyard.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is home to numerous attractions, experiences, educational opportunities and even launches. Its newest attraction, “The Gantry at LC-39,” is slated to open soon, bringing an innovative, interactive experience that reimagines the historic Launch Complex 39 gantry, located amidst the most iconic launch pads in space exploration.
Veteran astronaut Winston Scott paid a visit to Southwest Florida this past week and spoke with The Breeze about all of the happenings at the complex.
“There’s always something new and different going on,” said Scott, who was part of two space missions and performed three space walks.
The Gantry at LC-39 offers an “unprecedented” 360-degree view of Kennedy Space Center and active launch pads, as well as a range of immersive exhibits and experiences. The four-story gantry houses a full-scale model of a rocket engine that comes to life during a simulated static test fire.
The Gantry at LC-39 is also home to NASA’s largest Earth Information Center. KSC officials describe stunning visualizations, interactive media, and powerful narrations that express a holistic view of how the planet is changing in ways that affect all of life on Earth.
“There will be some immersive activities that visitors can go do, and touch, and see,” Scott said. “On top, you’ll be able to look all around — a 360-degree view over the entire space center, and see the other launch pads, what vehicles might be on the pads at the time, the whole facility. If there’s a launch going on, it will be possible to watch the launch from The Gantry at 39.”
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex gives attendees the ability to “discover something real.”
Guests can meet real astronauts through intimate “Chat With An Astronaut” question and answer sessions and thrilling live presentations. There’s the ability to explore legendary artifacts like space shuttle “Atlantis,” the Saturn V rocket, the Apollo 14 crew capsule, and flight-flown spacecraft including Orion EFT-1, SpaceX Cargo Dragon, and the Falcon 9 rocket booster in “Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex.”
Recently added to “Space Shuttle Atlantis,” astronaut Michael Lopez-Alegría’s Axiom Mission 1 flight suit further highlights the latest chapter of space exploration.
“The visitor complex is one-of-a-kind,” Scott said. “I don’t think there’s anything like it anywhere in the world. There are space centers that have visitor centers, but none like we have here.
After more than 80 launches in 2024, this year, the complex is expecting 100-plus to take off. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex remains one of the prime locations in the world to witness the excitement of a real space launch. Guests can watch from prime viewing locations, including LC-39, with exclusive launch viewing packages available for select missions.
Every day of the year, there is an astronaut on-site at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Scott helps coordinate visits for the 363 days the center is open each year.
“The public can meet that astronaut,” he said. “They can experience presentations, they can take pictures, they can sign autographs, they can get up-close-and-personal with someone that’s flown in space.”
Scott said his favorite attraction at the complex is the “Shuttle Launch Experience.”
“It simulates a shuttle launch,” he said. “You strap in, and it’s like you’re in a big space shuttle. It tilts back, and then the countdown starts. You feel as if you’re launching into orbit. It’s a nice simulation.”
Scott also touted “Space Shuttle Atlantis,” where attendees can see the American icon displayed as only astronauts saw her in space. Atlantis tells the story of what it was like to live and work in space from liftoff to landing, and provides more than 60 interactive and immersive exhibits.
Scott said he and the team of astronauts at the complex enjoy engaging with the public.
“It’s a wonderful experience that we have had, and we like to share it with the public,” he said. “It keeps you energized. It keeps you involved. Even when you’re retired from active-duty flying like I am, it keeps us at the space center and involved with different events.”
There are various ways in which members of the public can interact with astronauts at the complex: via the “Chat with an Astronaut” program or live presentations. There’s even the “Astronaut of the Day” at The Space Shop or Shuttle Express.
Scott said there’s a magic you feel when you walk into the complex, starting from the large marquee at the entrance, and “Rocket Garden” being just steps into the venue.
“All except one are real rockets that were slated to go into space,” Scott said. “You can walk around and look at all of these rockets and learn about the history.
“When you go in (to the complex), you are literally entering into a new, exciting environment. No matter how many times I walk in there, I still get the same feeling. It’s so amazing I was a part of something like this on such a level. It never gets old. It brings up memories of my space flight days.”
Scott was born and raised in Miami and attended Florida State University, and said he was always enamored in aviation despite attending school as a musician playing trumpet. He said he “discovered” engineering and became a Navy pilot and flew for four years before going back for his master’s. He then flew again for the Navy and moved into research development/testing evaluation working as a test pilot.
He was selected by NASA for astronaut training after he applied.
“Everything seemed to come together,” Scott said. “Every time they narrowed it down, my name kept staying in there. Eventually, they selected 80 finalists and brought us to Johnson Space Center 20 at a time for a week of interviews, medical exams and so on. I finished my week, went back to my command, and waited. Low and behold, I got the call that I was selected. It was the beginning of a life-changing event.”
Roughly four years later, Scott flew in two shuttle missions: Endeavor and Columbia in 1996 and 1997 respectively.
“In those days, we were preparing to build the International Space Station,” Scott said. “It’s been up there now for 25 years. In those days, we were just getting ready for it. I was a space walker, and I performed three space walks. During those EVAs (extravehicular activity), I tested different tools and equipment and techniques and so on that astronauts would later use to actually build the International Space Station.”
Scott has spent more than 500 hours in space, and has performed EVAs (activity outside of a spacecraft) totaling more than 20 hours.
“There are no words to describe it,” Scott said of taking off into space for the first time. “It jumps off the pad. It looks like slow motion in the movies — it kicks you in the butt. We pass 100 mph before we clear the tower. We reach Mach 1 in roughly 45 seconds. It never stops accelerating.”
As for his EVA missions outside of the spacecraft, Scott said, “It’s something. You are bombarded with where you are and what you’re doing. You’re in your suit outside. And that is an amazing experience that you can’t describe. At the same time, you’re concentrated on what you’re supposed to be doing. You have a job and procedures that you need to do. My first EVA when I sort of floated myself to the top of the shuttle bay and I grabbed the handrails and I pulled myself up and looked over and down at the Earth — then I could really see how high we are and how fast we’re going. It was really amazing.”
Scott said the complex is home to experiences that everybody in the world should experience at least once.
“Everybody should see a rocket launch,” he said. “Even if you don’t see a launch, just come visit the center and immerse yourself into some of the space-related activities.”
For a full list of attractions, hours, launches, to plan a visit and more, visit https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is at Space Commerce Way in Merritt Island.