Each year, more than 1 million guests from around the world experience their very own space adventure by exploring the exciting past, present and future of America’s space program at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In addition to the many attractions included with admission, behind-the-scenes tours and special programs offer even more engagement experiences.
Lunch With An Astronaut, an exclusive opportunity for guests to roll up their sleeves and rub elbows with America’s finest. Offered daily at 12 p.m., the Lunch With An Astronaut program begins with a delicious buffet luncheon followed by the definitive main course: An in-depth, personalized presentation by the featured astronaut, followed by a question and answer session and photo opportunity. To ensure each guest enjoys quality time with the astronaut, seating is limited and reservations are recommended. Lunch With An Astronaut tickets are available for purchase in addition to regular Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission for $29.99 plus tax for adults or $15.99 plus tax for children ages 3-11.
Offered during limited dates, Fly With An Astronaut is an exclusive tour where a small group of guests can spend a half-day with a veteran NASA astronaut and experience the highlights of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Participants will partake in a guided tour of the Space Shuttle Atlantis® attraction, ride Shuttle Launch Experience® and take an individual photo with the astronaut, then embark on a special guided bus tour with a panoramic photo stop and lunch at Launch Complex 39 Observation Gantry. Before departing, guests are given their autographed photo with their astronaut host, as well as receive a retail gift. $199 per adult; $174 per child. Includes admission, Kodak® photo, guided tour of Space Shuttle Atlantis®, ride on Shuttle Launch Experience®, guided bus tour, a private catered lunch at the LC-39 Observation Gantry and retail gift. The price for annual passholders to Fly With An Astronaut is $149 for adults and $134 for children (ages 3-11).
Experience a live action game, Cosmic Quest — the only experience in the galaxy featuring real NASA missions. Cosmic Quest is an interactive experience designed to engage and educate guests about NASA’s current and future space science and exploration endeavors, with an emphasis on science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) programs to inspire the next generation of space explorers. Using a custom Cosmic Quest badge (activation device), guests embark on five NASA-inspired adventures based on actual NASA science and missions of the future. Guests will be inspired as they become space experts and learn what it takes to work for NASA. A one day Cosmic Quest badge is available to purchase in addition to regular admission for $19.95 plus tax. Guests can upgrade their badge to a year activation for $5 (plus tax).
Premium Launch Viewing. Get up close to a rocket launch from Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers the closest public viewing for rocket launches. LC-39 Observation Gantry offers a premium, up-close view of the rocket on the launch pad and during lift off. You can feel the force of the launch and hear the roar of the engines from the launch pads at the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This area features lawn and bleacher seating and live launch commentary. The package includes launch transportation, a light snack and souvenir t-shirt. Launch Viewing/Transportation Tickets to LC-39 Observation Gantry are available for $49 in addition to admission. Available for select launches.
KSC Up-Close Bus Tours offer special opportunities for guests to see historic launch pads, marvel at the iconic Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), relive the early space era and learn about NASA’s plans for future space exploration with three KSC Up-Close Tours. Cape Canaveral: Then and Now, Explore and the Launch Control Center tours all visit the secured area Kennedy Space Center, showcasing history that can’t be seen anywhere else.
KSC Up-Close Explore Tour
Visitors are provided an insider’s view of the U.S. Space Program, from the launch sites of today at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station to the past and future of space exploration at Kennedy Space Center. See the massive, 525-foot-high Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), the Shuttle Landing Facility's nearly 3-mile-long runway and rocket launch pads supporting launches by NASA, SpaceX and the United Launch Alliance. 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 surrounded by a panoramic view of launch pads at Cape Canaveral that are currently accommodating rocket launches by NASA, SpaceX and United Launch Alliance. Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission.
KSC Up-Close Launch Control Center (LCC) Tour
For the first time in 30 years, visitors can tour the legendary Launch Control Center (LCC) and Firing Room 4, from which all 21 space shuttle launches since 2006 were controlled. Inside Firing Room 4, visitors will pass by the computer consoles at which engineers monitored the computerized launch control system’s thousands of checks every minute leading up to launch. They’ll see the main launch countdown clock and large video monitors on the walls, and enter the “bubble room,” with its wall of interior windows through which the Kennedy Space Center management team viewed the proceedings below. In the near future, the LCC will continue to operate in guiding the next generation of rocket launches from Kennedy Space Center for NASA and potentially for commercial space programs. The tour also includes drive-by views of Launch Pad 39 and ends at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where visitors can resume the regular tour. Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children ages 3-11 plus tax, in addition to admission.
KSC Up-Close Cape Canaveral: Then and Now
This narrated, in-depth journey guides visitors through the Cape’s 50-year history of space exploration. Highlights include Launch Complex 5/6, site of the first two Mercury launches and the birthplace of NASA’s manned space program; the Air Force Space and Missile Museum, the Mercury Memorial, and Launch Complex 19, site of 10 manned missions in two years. The tour stops at Launch Complex 34, site of the 1967 Apollo 1 tragedy in which astronauts Gus Grissom, Edward White, and Roger Chaffee perished in a fire during a launch test. The tour concludes at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. Photo ID is required for guests age 18 and older. International guests must present a valid passport to participate. Photography and video are limited to designated tour stops. Price is $25 for adults and $19 for children (ages 3-11) plus tax, in addition to admission.
For more information or to book a visit, go to www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the space program