Author
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Topic: KSC Visitor Complex: KSC Up-Close Explore Tour
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Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 02-20-2014 07:01 AM
Beginning Feb. 24, 2014 and taking the place of the former KSC Up-Close Mega Tour (ending Feb. 23), the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has announced the new KSC Up-Close Explore Tour. KSC Up-Close Explore TourExperience the space program's past and future on the KSC Up-Close Explore Tour, where visitors get an insider's view of Kennedy Space Center's role in space exploration. Led by a trained space expert, the KSC Up-Close Explore Tour includes views of launch pads, the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) and the Shuttle Landing Facility. The tour stops in between the Kennedy Space Center launch pads for a close-up photo opportunity, in front of the VAB, and on the NASA Causeway where guests are awarded a panoramic view of rocket launch sites at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Along the way, visitors see other space program icons including the countdown clock at NASA's Press Site, a mobile launcher used to move Apollo moon rockets and space shuttles to the launch pad, and the Operations and Checkout building, the departure point for astronauts traveling to the launch pad on the day of their mission. All of this, as well as Kennedy Space Center's amazing ecosystem full of wildlife, make the KSC Up-Close Explore Tour the perfect way to experience the history and exciting future of space exploration. This bus tour concludes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Tour Length: 2 hours KSC Up-Close Explore Tour Cost - Adults: $25 per person, plus tax, in addition to daily admission
- Children (age 3 - 11): $19 person, plus tax, in addition to daily admission
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p51 Member Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 02-20-2014 09:56 AM
I'm glad to hear this as I was going to miss all the other tours when I go again this fall, but this sounds like a slightly-expanded version of the normal tour. They mention 'views' of things but the only stop that the normal bus tour doesn't make and it appears to take you is somewhere near the 39 area. I'll take the tour, no question, but the description doesn't feel like a replacement for the other tours that are being stopped this month... |
pupnik Member Posts: 114 From: Maryland Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 02-20-2014 04:57 PM
I'll be down there in a week and a half. I'll try to make this one and report back on it. |
sts205cdr Member Posts: 649 From: Sacramento, CA Registered: Jun 2001
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posted 02-20-2014 08:16 PM
Lee, let's definitely check this out for our KSC visit! |
pupnik Member Posts: 114 From: Maryland Registered: Jan 2014
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posted 03-08-2014 07:03 PM
I took it the past week. We drove out onto the Banana River causeway and had a stop at the viewing area just on the otherside of the bridge where all the unmanned launch sites were pointed out. Drove back up and along the crawlerway, around 39A and stopped at an old generator bunker along the beach roughly between the two pads. Then drove around 39B and back down the crawlerway stopping outside the fence for the VAB. Then drove to the runway at the control tower, although this wasn't a stop and the bus only drove through the parking lot there and back out, and then on to the Saturn V center. This will become the prime tour once the launch pad and firing room tours end. Speaking of which... I also took the pad tour which several guides think may end as soon as this month. It all depends when the pad is handed over. Took the LCC tour as well and I'm not sure how much longer that may last as they are still working on the room (the horseshoes are all gone). I guess it could still be a tour even if all the fixtures are removed. |
Chariot412 Member Posts: 156 From: Lockport, NY, 14094 Registered: Jun 2011
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posted 03-08-2014 09:47 PM
Ironically, I took the Launch Control tour yesterday. It was a $25 add on. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable and a wonderful speaker. Over the last 38 years, I've toured most of the add-on sights, but never the Launch Control Rooms. I really enjoyed it. We also stopped by pad 39A and a few other spots. Better tour than I thought it would be. |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-11-2014 10:21 AM
I will be visiting Kennedy Space Center and have not been there since 2007. What is the best tour, in your opinion, that would upgrade my view of KSC and would provide a great experience to a person that has never been there?Editor's note: Threads merged. |
4allmankind Member Posts: 1043 From: Dallas Registered: Jan 2004
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posted 09-11-2014 12:54 PM
I'd vote for the Then & Now. I'm always hearing rumors that it will be the next to expire so I keep opting to take it year after year and have never been disappointed (other than the odd tour guide once or twice). This is assuming you are a Mercury, Gemini and Apollo fan. If your primary interest is shuttle, I doubt you could go wrong with either option. |
Ronpur Member Posts: 1211 From: Brandon, Fl Registered: May 2012
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posted 09-11-2014 10:52 PM
I love the Then and Now tour as well, but I never did get to take the LCC Tour or the new tour they have. I took the Mega Tour last year and getting inside the VAB was amazing, but it has been discontinued. If possible, try to spend more than one day. The tours take a lot of time and you will want to just sit and stare at Atlantis for hours! |
MrSpace86 Member Posts: 1618 From: Gardner, KS, USA Registered: Feb 2003
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posted 09-25-2014 03:55 PM
I guess I have another quick question: anything I should keep an eye out for? What I mean by that is if there are any "hidden" artifacts or cool things that most tourists miss or things the guides don't mention. Filed Guide to American Spacecraft just highlights the actual spacecraft but wondered if there was anything else that I could keep an eye out for? Thanks! |
JasonB Member Posts: 1091 From: Registered: Sep 2003
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posted 11-05-2014 08:44 AM
Is there any way to see the crew quarters and the walk out area? I took this tour a couple years ago and they simply droce by it without stopping and said "There it is!". I'd love to see the inside or at leasr the walk out area but assumed maybe that's not possible? Thanks. |
Robert Pearlman Editor Posts: 42988 From: Houston, TX Registered: Nov 1999
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posted 11-05-2014 08:49 AM
The general public, and historically with only a few exceptions, the media, are not allowed in the crew quarters. I'm not aware of a tour that views the doorway used for crew walkouts. |
p51 Member Posts: 1642 From: Olympia, WA Registered: Sep 2011
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posted 11-05-2014 10:52 AM
I took both this and the LCC tour when I was there in October. If you take the LCC tour, you pretty much get the same sights for the most part. The only difference was we got to see the stuff over on the USAF side and saw the Orion Test Flight stack being assembled, from across the river. |