ATX - Astronaut Training Experience. Any info?

[CharleyUK]

I've been looking at this online. Looks expensive at $225 each but if its good could be worth it. We've never been to Kennedy before so want to get the best experience. Anyone with any first hand info?

TIA

 

[mikki.young]

We did this tour a couple of years ago. I'll try to remember most of what was involved. You start out at the Astronaut Hall of fame - actually well worth a visit in its own right! Here you get to try out 'moon walking' with the aid of some very large springs. It is not as easy as it looks. You can also turn yourself into a human gyroscope - dh did this but I chickened out. Then you meet a real astronaut and he tells you how he got involved, what he did etc and answers questions. You are a small group - 12 or so, so you get some quality time with him.

Then you go on a tour of kennedy space centre. it sounds similar to the up close and personal tour but I suspect has even more in it. It was certainly the best tour we have ever done there and you got a lot closer to the sights.

Back to the hall of fame and your simulated mission. We had high expectations of this but it was the most disapointing part of the day. If more than one person wants a role then names go in a hat. The simulator is a mock up of a space shuttle - but don't think simulator like Spiderman or star tours as this does not move at all. You get some tasks to perform and the computer tells you how you are doing. Some of the people are doing mission control, some piloting the shuttle and some doing experiments on the shuttle. You are given a years pass for kennedy and the hall of fame.

It is worth doing if you are interested in the space program and a lot of it is great fun. Refreshments are provided during the day.