posted 06-13-2013 11:28 AM               

NASA visitor centers launch new passport for space tourists

Earth-bound space tourists hitting the road this summer to tour NASA's historic launch pads and mission controls, as well as see the retired space shuttles on display now have their own passport.

The "Passport to Explore Space" is now being offered by the official visitor centers for NASA's nationwide facilities and the museums that display the space agency's former orbiter fleet. Guests to the 14 locations in nine states can get the passports stamped with commemorative markers representing each of the centers, earning them offers and discounts in the process.

"Get ready to explore and experience NASA's universe of diverse visitor centers and the museums which house America's four space shuttles!" promotes VisitNASA.com, the website for the "Passport to Explore Space" program and NASA's tourist attractions. "Your mission is to visit all 14 visitor centers and space shuttle locations."

posted 07-20-2014 09:28 PM               

If you go to Intrepid, there's some confusion as to what they are and where they're available. The answer, as of this past weekend, is that they're at the box office (e.g., where you buy admission tickets) and so is the stamp.

There are 14 numbered spaces, two unnumbered for 16 total. However, like a real passport they place the stamp at a random spot — in my case No. 3 — although I did receive a nice, clear ink impression.

Any discounts, if they exist, are not publicized. So look at this like a fun thing, like getting stamps at the Epcot pavilions.

Anybody else who has one of these, please post where to get stamped. Prior to this weekend, they had me going from the info desk to back where the space exhibits are displayed on Intrepid to ask someone. The logical assumption would be the box office, but like the National Park Stamps, one never knows.

posted 07-29-2014 07:59 PM               

Be patient. Maybe awareness of these passports has changed since I visited last year, but they looked at me like I had lobsters coming out of my ears when I showed them the email confirmation and the passports. After asking most of the staff at the desk, they called someone and a manager-type person arrived and knew what I was talking about and stamped the books. Everyone was very nice, they just didn't know about this program.

posted 08-04-2014 12:08 PM               

It says you can forward it to someone else, I thought that was odd.

posted 10-16-2014 12:16 PM               

I got mine stamped at Huntsville a few days later, they knew exactly what it was, at the desk you pay for admission.

Better still, I bumped into Hoot Gibson at Huntsville, and I had him sign my passport, right next to the most recent stamp. Score!

posted 04-27-2015 03:14 PM               

quote:

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Originally posted by Hart Sastrowardoyo:
...one can simply ask for a NASA passport and stamp and tell the cashiers you're there to simply visit the pier

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