Reaching for the Stars - Kennedy Space Centre visit

The text in red colour here is from the Kennedy Space Centre site as its well written and succint. My gratitude to them. The photographs are mine. The balance text in black are my additional comments. 
America has everything on a huge scale. They have a lot of space and they build in a grand manner; be it houses, museums, malls, nature reserves / forests or space related projects. My friend ABL was keen on seeing the Everglades and the Kennedy Space centre, so after our Amazon expedition and cruise, we went northwards to Florida. The Everglades were a disappointment in a way after the lushness of Amazon but one must acknowledge the habitat is different. 

We went from Seminole, a small town near St Petersburg to Titusville – a 150 mile drive across the whole state which took us nearly 3 hours. My friends Padmini and Jacques  very kindly decided to come along with us so we had company on the long drive. I have given a map not only of our route but more important of the various sites at the venue which are worth seeing – be prepared for a lot of walking as its all spread out. 

The only time you don’t walk is when you are in the bus on the restricted tour of the actual take off zones. We had read up on the Space Centre beforehand and regrettably were late in getting seats on the special tour. All sold out. That’s why I have taken extracts from the Kennedy Space Centre website to guide readers.

PLEASE BOOK EARLY AND DONT TAKE SEATS OR ENTRY FOR GRANTED. You have to reserve well in advance and be on time else they just don’t let you in. Simple.

We rushed to the ticket counter and found that we had to do our own tour as the guided tours were full. It was not a wasted day as the Centre has fantastic facilities and everything is well marked.

Starting with the entry – you are awed by the achievements of NASA. I vividly recall being in London, with my cousin, seeing on a B/W TV the film of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon and hearing his famous words. So, the entry is WHAM !! The whole set of rockets which were precursors to the main moon launch vehicles. I now understood how an ant must feel looking at me!!  

Our ongoing space journey can be defined by significant eras. That’s why we’ve organized Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex into Mission Zones — grouped attractions and experiences reflecting specific periods of time and achievements. Your journey awaits!  
  Wouldn’t it be fascinating to see behind the gates? When it comes to NASA’s spaceflight operations, it's no surprise that rocket science is off-limits to the general public. Get exclusive access to historic launch sites and working spaceflight facilities on the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. Take an even closer look with a Special Interest Tour that offers an insider’s view of America’s Spaceport.

Though each bus tour offers a different specialized view of Kennedy Space Center’s spaceflight operations, it isn’t necessary to take more than one tour. Choose the bus tour that most closely aligns with your interests. Keep in mind that the Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour is included with daily admission, but the Special Interest Tours require an additional ticket. 

 This active launch area has seen some of the most important events in history. Now, we grant you restricted access. Depending on the tour you choose, you can see the launch control center or working launch pads up close. You can even view the site from which we’ll depart for Mars. Bus tour is included with admission, and enhanced experiences are available.
This vertical structure is one of the launch sites

Here is the transporter for the rocket - unbelievable. I think he said its speed was 4 miles an hour. 

The tour queues look horrendously long but there are many buses and the wait is not that long. We start of from the perimeter skirting the fencing and proceed seeing the humungously large trailers required for the transport of the rockets.  

 The bus driver explains in detail each of the various components – the transporter with its multiple wheels, the rocket launcher and how it makes the rocket vertical etc . One is too busy looking and trying to internalize all the information with what one is seeing. It often borders on the unreal. Sci-Fi come alive. 

 A race to the moon between two world superpowers became an inspiring tale of perseverance, ingenuity and destiny. See the rocket that helped us win the space race — the mighty Saturn V — and feel the emotion of the Apollo era in an immersive, captivating collection of experiences. Prepare to be moved.

Relive the launch of the first crewed NASA mission to orbit the moon in 1968 aboard the massive Saturn V rocket at the Firing Room Theater. Experience the countdown for Apollo 8 facing the actual consoles used during the Apollo launches as you see and feel the powerful Saturn V moon rocket lift off from the launch pad and blast into space.The interactive film presentation of the original launch with its sound effects is really impressive. I felt as if i was present at that launch! The film is short and the audience comes out overawed by the whole experience BUT then you are suddenly facing those monsters – the Saturn V rockets and further down the moon buggy.   

The Saturn V Rocket - This monumental 363-foot rocket launched America’s brave astronauts, who traveled to the moon and back, fulfilling the dreams and imagination of people around the world. Stroll the length of this amazing machine — marveling at the stages of the rocket and the sheer, awe-inspiring scale. It’s a must-see attraction, whether you’re here for a full day or more

There are moments in American history that unified our country and shifted our culture. The Apollo moon-landing era represents one of these pivotal periods. Experience the wonder of Project Apollo from the days leading up to the first launch to the moon landing that followed. Discover historic moments in the Firing Room Theater and the Lunar Theater, and view legendary artifacts in the Apollo Treasures Gallery. Stand in amazement under the gigantic Saturn V, the largest rocket ever flown! Get an up-close look at the moments and monuments that helped America win the race to the moon.

Each of the exhibits has explicit details of what its all about. I loved the smaller ones – the palm and finger prints of the top astronauts, the very first space capsule and the special suits they had to wear. When you see these, you realise that these men were very special – to go out on such a mission in such a small capsule , not knowing if you will survive, is something which one cannot fathom. Look at the moon buggy – its as if its something from that movie “ET” !! its hanging from the top but still you see the details.

                                                                                                         

 There is this wonderful chart of the Lunar Firsts and Lasts... makes good reading. What is missing there is what were the inner thoughts of these explorers?  I am sure books have been written but those thoughts here would have been invaluable. 

That's me by the moon buggy.  

 Here we have what are my favourite exhibits 

 Thirty years of dedication brought us to new frontiers of human exploration. Stand within feet of an American icon — the space shuttle Atlantis. Then, prepare for liftoff at the Shuttle Launch Experience®. Full of interactive activities, this Mission Zone really brings NASA's Space Shuttle Program to life. This is a landmark experience, so don’t miss it.  

A ship like no other, the space shuttle launched like a rocket and landed like a glider while transporting astronauts to space and back for thirty years. Stand in awe of this American icon at Space Shuttle Atlantis®, permanent home of the orbiter. Explore shuttle missions that secured the future of Hubble Space Telescope and the International Space Station. Learn how to dock and land the shuttle with training simulators, and then strap in for lift-off at Shuttle Launch Experience®. Discover the legacy of NASA's Space Shuttle Program.

 Understand where we are now and preview where we’re going next. See a breathtaking 3D movie at our IMAX® Theater, then learn about our upcoming missions to the red planet at Journey to Mars: Explorers Wanted. You can even view spacecraft that will launch us into the future, including NASA’s Orion, SpaceX’s Dragon and Boeing’s Starliner spacecraft.

We spent quite a few hours but had to rush back as we were not keen on driving back after sunset. Exhausted mentally and physically, it had been an exciting expedition. I am glad that we went even though it meant driving right across the sunshine state. I would recommend this Centre to everybody  who is in Florida - its well worth the diversion or drive. there is nothing like it anywhere.  

Text as explained at the very beginning and photographs copyright of the author. No part of this article or photographs maybe transmitted or reproduced by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying or otherwise, without written permission. Do contact the author on email -- helpthesun@gmail.com