Today we spent the whole day at the Kennedy Space Centre, which by the way is a totally mind blowing. The Kennedy Space Center (aka NASA) is a brilliant experience with lots of presentations and things to see, do and experience. Well worth the price of admission.
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| Our arrival into the Kennedy Space Center |
Arrive early to spend a full day absorbing the incredible history and hands-on experiences. Not only the history, but the future of the space program too. A 2-day pass may be beneficial, in order to experience all the presentations and displays.
A tour bus takes you on a drive out by the launch pads, the site where every important and significant US human space flight mission has originated from. You'll also see the newly added SpaceX area and rocket assembly hangar.
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| In the early '60s, US President John F Kennedy launched the Americans into the Space Race |
Then stop at the Apollo/Saturn center to see rockets, boosters in an amazing presentation. Sit inside the recreated 1960's era Mission Control and experience an actual countdown of a Saturn V powered Apollo series rocket launch.
Additionally, you can see the actual returned rockets and space pods on display. Also the original countdown clocks used for all the launches.
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| The recreated Apollo Mission Control centre. The whole place vibrates when the simulated launch takes place. |
Return back to the main visitor's center to see the actual, retired Atlantis Shuttle Orbiter vehicle that flew 33 missions and orbited the earth 4,848 times. There are numerous theaters with 3D or Imax or interactive to visit and discover. There are cafes scattered throughout the complex and prices for food and drinks are much better than at the big theme parks in the Orlando area.
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| The Shuttle Orbiters quite often re-positioned to Cape Canaveral fixed atop a specially modified B747 transport aircraft |
Memories can be such a wonderful and powerful experience and today was one of those days for me. I could not help but think about the many memories in my life almost 50-years ago on the drive over here to Cape Canaveral from Fort Myers today.
On July 16th this year, 2019, it will be 50-years since Neil Armstrong and his crew blasted off from right here at this very location in Apollo 11, destined to be the first humans to land on the moon.
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| The size of the Saturn rockets up close is incredible |
On February 14th, 1971, (48-years ago) I watched the immortal NASCAR driver, Richard Petty win the Daytona 500 in his brand new Plymouth Road Runner just up the road from where I am right now. Buddy Baker was 2nd & none other than AJ Foyt was 3rd. It was just like yesterday.
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| The famous NASA rocket assembly building |
During the drive from coast to coast across the State of Florida earlier today I noticed a road sign that said 99 miles to Miami. My girlfriend and I lived and worked in Miami way back in the early '70s, she as a Key Punch operator & me as a motor mechanic.
Those were the days before computers as we know them today, as I can remember visiting her at her work and she would show me this thing called a computer. It was as big as this 33’ Mobile Home that I am now driving around America.
Anyway enough of all that because it makes me feel old and I sure as hell do not want to think about getting old.
Cheers for now
Warbo
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