posted 03-09-2006 11:45 PM               

Celebrate the Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Special Astronaut Appearances including First Shuttle Crew: John Young and Bob Crippen

It was just 25 years ago when eyes were glued to the skies above Kennedy Space Center as the first Space Shuttle launched from pad 39A. Space Shuttle Columbia roared into orbit on April 12, 1981, at 7:00 a.m. EST, with Commander John Young and Pilot Robert Crippen at the helm.

To commemorate this historic event and celebrate the accomplishments of the Space Shuttle program, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is hosting the Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary Celebration now through April 12. Daily activities include Briefings highlighting 25 years of Space Shuttle missions and encore presentations of the IMAX® space film Hail Columbia, featuring the inaugural voyage of the world's first Space Shuttle.

The month and a half-long celebration is interspersed with special Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary Astronaut presentations by Bob Springer on March 12, Tom Jones on March 18, Story Musgrave on March 25 and April 2, Jon McBride on March 30 and April 12 and Rick Hauck on April 10. Shuttle Astronaut book signings include Tom Jones from March 15 through 21 and Story Musgrave on March 25 and 26 and April 2 and 3.

On Friday, April 7, STS-1 Astronauts John Young and Bob Crippen will make a rare public appearance at 2:30 p.m. to share their personal stories and spaceflight experiences. Young and Crippen will be the featured speakers at a special Lunch With the Astronauts program at 1:00 p.m. with an up-close and personal presentation, a delicious meal and commemorative souvenir.

While visiting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex during the 25th Anniversary of the Space Shuttle, guests may take a narrated tour of Kennedy Space Center to see NASA's launch and landing headquarters for manned space flight with up-close views of massive Space Shuttle launch support structures including launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building, crawler transporters, and the Orbiter Processing Facility.

Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary Celebration activities are included as part of regular admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Special 25th Anniversary packages for April 7 are available for $70 + tax for adults and $50 + tax for children 3-11 and include a two-day Maximum Access Admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Lunch With the Astronauts program with Astronauts Young and Crippen and commemorative souvenir.

For a complete schedule of Space Shuttle 25th Anniversary Celebration activities and tickets, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com, or call 321-449-4400.

posted 03-11-2006 02:53 PM               

Always remember, never forget.