Author
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Topic: Visiting Johnson or Kennedy Space Center?
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YScope New Member Posts: 9 From: Ireland Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 02-14-2017 05:13 PM
I will be in Seattle for a month with work and have some time off and seen as I won't have the chance again I want to go to NASA. Orlando and Houston are about the same price to fly to. Which would be better, Kennedy or Johnson?I'm mainly interested in the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo era. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2017 05:35 PM
Both centers' visitor centers offer sights of interest to Apollo-era enthusiasts.At the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you can see - original consoles from Mercury Mission Control
- Mercury-Redstone and Atlas, Gemini-Titan, Saturn IB and Saturn V rockets
- Sigma 7, Gemini 9A and Apollo 14's Kitty Hawk spacecraft, as well as the crew hatches from the Apollo 1 command module
- Launch Complex 39A (from the bus or at a distance)
At Space Center Houston, you can see: - Historic Mission Control
- Mercury-Redstone, Little Joe II and Saturn V rockets
- Faith 7, Gemini 5 and Apollo 17's America spacecraft
At both locations you can see and touch moon rocks, view spacesuits and other Apollo-era artifacts and see space shuttle and space station era exhibits (space shuttle Atlantis in Florida, the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft in Texas).Both locations also offer premium tour options and the chance to meet an astronaut (only on Fridays at Space Center Houston). |
onesmallstep Member Posts: 1310 From: Staten Island, New York USA Registered: Nov 2007
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posted 02-14-2017 05:36 PM
I would say Kennedy Space Center in Florida; lot of changes in the last couple of years, exhibit and tour-wise. Putting aside Atlantis and any other shuttle-related artifacts, I think there is more Mercury, Gemini and Apollo era hardware and sites to see down at the Cape.To add to Robert's post above, there is the recreation of an Apollo-era firing room with film and sound in the Saturn V Center as well. |
Jim Behling Member Posts: 1463 From: Cape Canaveral, FL Registered: Mar 2010
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posted 02-14-2017 06:35 PM
And there possibly could be a launch at the Cape. |
YScope New Member Posts: 9 From: Ireland Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 02-14-2017 08:17 PM
Thanks for the responses everybody.It will certainly be a difficult decision. Just out of curiosity, is there anything at the Seattle Museum of Flight worth checking out for a space fanatic? |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-14-2017 08:43 PM
Yes, though some of it may be inaccessible depending on when you visit. The Museum of Flight is currently assembling its new Space Race exhibit opening in May, which will include Pete Conrad's collection, a Block 1 Apollo command module, an F-1 engine and the F-1 parts recovered by Bezos Expeditions from Apollo 12 and Apollo 16.The museum's Charles Simonyi Space Gallery exhibits NASA's space shuttle full fuselage trainer, the Soyuz TMA-13 descent module and other shuttle-era artifacts. |
YScope New Member Posts: 9 From: Ireland Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 02-15-2017 12:16 AM
Great. Thanks for that. I'll be there in March and early April so I will check it out. In regards to the launches at KSC, are you required to purchase a ticket to view the launch or can you see it from the surrounding area? |
Rick Mulheirn Member Posts: 4167 From: England Registered: Feb 2001
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posted 02-15-2017 02:49 AM
KSC has come on so much in the last few years I would give it the nod given the choice. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-15-2017 06:10 AM
quote: Originally posted by YScope: ...can you see it from the surrounding area?
You can view from different areas; for a guide as to where, see here. |
JSC01 Member Posts: 84 From: Houston, Texas, USA Registered: Nov 2011
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posted 02-15-2017 09:30 AM
In addition to the wonderful artifacts housed at both, I would consider that both are operational space centers with different functions. At JSC, you can tour areas where astronauts work and are trained, such as the NBL and vehicle mockup facility. Obviously at KSC you have the cool factor of vehicle processing and launches. Try to stop at both! |
pupnik Member Posts: 114 From: Maryland Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 02-15-2017 03:27 PM
quote: Originally posted by YScope: ...is there anything at the Seattle Museum of Flight worth checking out for a space fanatic?
They have the Shuttle Full Fuselage Trainer which for an extra fee they do a tour taking visitors into to see the mid deck and flight deck. It's probably the closest us plebs have to getting in any sort of space craft (albeit a trainer). |
YScope New Member Posts: 9 From: Ireland Registered: Aug 2016
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posted 02-15-2017 04:48 PM
Thanks folks. Given that I will probably have to make a connection going to Orlando I think Houston is the more reasonable option. I was in Houston about ten years ago, unfortunately before I caught the space bug and passed up going to the Space Center as the hotel concierge told us it was a nightmare to get too from Reliant Stadium where we were staying. If only I could talk to my younger self, I'd have some strong words!The Seattle Museum of Flight is in my sights also.
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MCroft04 Member Posts: 1634 From: Smithfield, Me, USA Registered: Mar 2005
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posted 02-15-2017 09:04 PM
I suggest that you spend some time in the Skylab mockup. I walked through it several times before I took the time to look around and identify various features. The moon rocks display are pretty cool too. And then there is the Saturn V. Take whatever tour they offer. Plan ahead for the Level 9 tour. I travel to Houston often and get to the SpaceCenter as often as I can. Enjoy your stay! |
JBoe Member Posts: 960 From: Churchton, MD Registered: Oct 2012
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posted 03-09-2017 09:43 PM
I finally get to live out my long lost dream of visiting KSC, but was wondering about the bus tours. The standard admission tour give you pretty much the same as "Kennedy Space Center Explore Tour." The only difference that I could find is we get to disembark from the bus to take some awesome photos. Does the "Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour" offer the same thing? Thanks! |