Recently the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opened the new Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, so I bought a ticket online and found an available weekend to go check it out. The last time I had been to the KSC Visitor Complex was when I was in school on a field trip. Nothing had been extremely exciting or memorable about the experience. While I love space and the technology involved in exploring it, the Visitor Complex is mostly just a bunch of stuff with signs explaining it.
The shuttle being there was a game changer though. I had to at least go see it once – it’s the shuttle! Upon getting to the Visitor Complex, I made my way around the Rocket Garden to see all the rockets that have been used in launches. It’s probably the most exciting exhibit outside of the new shuttle exhibit and one of the few things I remembered from my childhood visit.
Eventually I made my way to Space Shuttle Atlantis and waited in line. Before seeing the actual shuttle, they had us stand in a theatre to watch a movie about how they designed the shuttle. After that movie, we walked into a second room to watch another movie about the shuttle launch, which included additional screens on the sides of the room and ceiling. Finally the shuttle was revealed and it was one of the best reveals I’d ever seen – I almost didn’t think it was real at first.
We got to walk around the shuttle and other mini-exhibits around it. After checking out the workout station, the space toilet, Canadarm, the orbiter, and other exhibits, I made my way towards the exit just as the next group of people entered – perfect timing by the designers.
The shuttle exhibit made the entire experience worth it and I would highly recommend it to anyone interested in space, history, or just random “must-see” tourist attractions.
ren3gade 