new blog: An Up Close Look at the Launch Control Center at Kennedy Space Center

[WebmasterLeah]

http://www.disunplugged.com/2012/07/...-space-center/

[wdwscout]

Thanks Kathy.
I had tears in my eyes just reading your report!

John and I are planning our first ever trip to KSC- probably on Sat, Sept 1st.

For newbies to the Space Center complex, do you recommend this as a good tour for the first time, or would you recommend another one?
This one fascinates me, as I too remember watching that first moon landing on TV, plus for just about every Mercury mission they would bring a TV or radio into our school classrooms! I still have my scrapbook from Cooper's 22 orbits around the Earth!!

John, however, grew up as an Air Force brat. His dad was an areonautical engineer and worked on the design on many rockets. He thinks the VAB might be fascinating. Jeff and Mike's recent pictures and reports sounded great.

Or should first timers just stick to the main entry tickets and take in as much as possible there?

We only have one day on this coming trip- although I think we will learn we have to come back for more.

[safetymom]

Since this is a rare opportunity to see the Firing room I would book this additional tour. It takes you to the Saturn 5 building where there are lots of exhibits.

I would normally say to just take the standard bus tour where you see a lot of different things.

I might be the wrong person to ask since I enjoy everything I get to see at KSC.

[disneyholic family]

Great blog Kathy!!!!!
Thanks for all the pictures!
We love KSC
I hope this tour is open when I'm there in the fall!!!

[safetymom]

Beth, the tour is supposed to run through the end of the year. I hope you decide to do the tour. I can't wait to go back.

[disneyholic family]

Originally Posted by safetymom

Beth, the tour is supposed to run through the end of the year. I hope you decide to do the tour. I can't wait to go back.

we were last at KSC about 6 years ago - there was a really neat part that we especially liked ....i don't remember what it was called - but you were in a place where they played the sound of a saturn 5 blasting off - so that you could hear/feel the power of it....
we spent the entire day at KSC, from opening to closing, but only managed to see a small part of it...so much to see!!!
DS is learning aeronautical engineering in university now - though i think his interest predated the KSC visit!!

his dream used to be working either for nasa or as an imagineer....
seems that nasa's kind of out of the question now (unless they get their act back in gear), but maybe spaceX?

[safetymom]

I can't tell you the number of times I have been to KSC. I still haven't seen it all. We always see something new every time we go.

It's a shame that the space program has slowed down.

[NitroStitch]

Originally Posted by safetymom

Beth, the tour is supposed to run through the end of the year. I hope you decide to do the tour. I can't wait to go back.

That's a relief, since we're having trouble scheduling a weekend there in the short term. Your photos make me want to go even more!

[safetymom]

If you get the chance GO!! Who knows when the next time they may offer these tours.

[disneyholic family]

i told DS today at lunch about the tour of the launch control center and he thought that was so cool!!
unfortunately, he won't be in florida any time soon.....maybe not for a few years....

[DCTooTall]

Originally Posted by wdwscout

Thanks Kathy.
I had tears in my eyes just reading your report!

John and I are planning our first ever trip to KSC- probably on Sat, Sept 1st.

For newbies to the Space Center complex, do you recommend this as a good tour for the first time, or would you recommend another one?
This one fascinates me, as I too remember watching that first moon landing on TV, plus for just about every Mercury mission they would bring a TV or radio into our school classrooms! I still have my scrapbook from Cooper's 22 orbits around the Earth!!

John, however, grew up as an Air Force brat. His dad was an areonautical engineer and worked on the design on many rockets. He thinks the VAB might be fascinating. Jeff and Mike's recent pictures and reports sounded great.

Or should first timers just stick to the main entry tickets and take in as much as possible there?

We only have one day on this coming trip- although I think we will learn we have to come back for more.

Hmmmm.....

I'd almost say that the "Cape Canaveral- Then and Now" Tour might be more interesting for you guys. It actually takes you to the old Cape Launch sites used in the Gemini and Mercury programs [Including the original Block-houses/firing rooms], As well as the Saturn 1 pad.

But.... Then there is that whole Limited run thing of the KSC Up Close tour and the Pad 39 firing room that would be so nice to see. If you had more than 1 day, I'd definately say you should do both. [I did both last november over 2 days when they first opened the VAB to the public... i actually got to see Endeavor up close in one of the VAB bays being prepped for Museum duty].

honestly, both of the extra cost guided tours are amazing and you can't really go wrong with either of them.

[safetymom]

There are so many great tours at KSC. I would take the LCC tour first if you are interested in that since it will only be offered for a limited time.

You can't go wrong with any of the tours there.

[wdwscout]

Originally Posted by DCTooTall

Hmmmm.....

I'd almost say that the "Cape Canaveral- Then and Now" Tour might be more interesting for you guys. It actually takes you to the old Cape Launch sites used in the Gemini and Mercury programs [Including the original Block-houses/firing rooms], As well as the Saturn 1 pad.

But.... Then there is that whole Limited run thing of the KSC Up Close tour and the Pad 39 firing room that would be so nice to see. If you had more than 1 day, I'd definately say you should do both. [I did both last november over 2 days when they first opened the VAB to the public... i actually got to see Endeavor up close in one of the VAB bays being prepped for Museum duty].

honestly, both of the extra cost guided tours are amazing and you can't really go wrong with either of them.

Originally Posted by safetymom

There are so many great tours at KSC. I would take the LCC tour first if you are interested in that since it will only be offered for a limited time.

You can't go wrong with any of the tours there.

Wow- thanks for all the replies. I am going to call and see if the LCC tour is available and works in our schedule. Otherwise, I think we will do just fine. I do understand there is so much to see.
We are working on a plan to move to the area in the next 2 years- so maybe we'll get to visit as much as Kathy does!!

[Flight]

We love the Kennedy Space Center!!! We are usually the first thought the doors in the morning and the last tos leave in the evening. The Rocket Garden is especially beautiful just after sunset when it is all lit up.

During our last visit this year we took the Caper Canaveral: Now and Then tour. Wonderful for those familiar with the early days of the space program. Planning another trip this year and number one on our list will the Launch Control Center tour.

[poohj80]

Just wanted everyone to know there is another Option for space enthusiasts which may be closer to you - NASA's Marshall Space Flight Center at the US Space & Rocket Center (home of Space Camp) in Huntsville, Alabama. We don't have the LCC or launch pads, but we are where Werhner Von Braun designed and built the rocket engines that sent man to the moon. We've got a bigger rocket park than KSC and bus tours now take you out to the International Space Center Operations Center where people like me work with and talk to the astronauts living and working on the ISS daily.