Posts: 9
From: Ireland
Registered: Aug 2016

posted 02-14-2017 05:13 PM            

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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.

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-14-2017 05:35 PM               

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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).

Posts: 1310
From: Staten Island, New York USA
Registered: Nov 2007

posted 02-14-2017 05:36 PM               

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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.

Posts: 1463
From: Cape Canaveral, FL
Registered: Mar 2010

Posts: 9
From: Ireland
Registered: Aug 2016

posted 02-14-2017 08:17 PM            

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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?

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

posted 02-14-2017 08:43 PM               

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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.

Posts: 9
From: Ireland
Registered: Aug 2016

posted 02-15-2017 12:16 AM            

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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?

Posts: 4167
From: England
Registered: Feb 2001

Posts: 42988
From: Houston, TX
Registered: Nov 1999

Posts: 84
From: Houston, Texas, USA
Registered: Nov 2011

posted 02-15-2017 09:30 AM            

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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!

Posts: 114
From: Maryland
Registered: Jan 2014

Posts: 9
From: Ireland
Registered: Aug 2016

posted 02-15-2017 04:48 PM            

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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.

Posts: 1634
From: Smithfield, Me, USA
Registered: Mar 2005

posted 02-15-2017 09:04 PM               

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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!

Posts: 960
From: Churchton, MD
Registered: Oct 2012