Sun Sentinel Palm Beach Edition
More changes ready to lift off
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex entrance renovation just the start of updates
The entrance to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has been renovated, and it leads the pack of changes coming to the Brevard County attraction within the next year.
The design of the new entranceway includes replicas of the massive crawler-transporters that move rockets from the Vehicle Assembly Building to the launch pad. Visitors will get to the gate via a new access road set off Space Commerce Way. The parking plaza has six lanes – two are automatic pay stations, four are attended lanes.
The complex has had several additions and renovations in the past few years, including a revamped entrance to the attraction, the creation of the Astronaut Training Experience, moving in the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame as part of the Heroes & Legends exhibit and the viewing of Space Shuttle Atlantis.
Among the changes in the works at the space center are:
Updates to the bus tour. Emily Calandrelli – also known as the Space Gal – will appear in a new video for behind the scenes elements and in interviews with NASA experts. Calandrelli has appeared on “Bill Nye Saves the World” and “Xploration Outer Space.”
Reimagining of the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which is included in the bus tour. Changes will include projection mapping of moon-landing footage on the suspended Saturn V rocket; a Moon Scape exhibit with a lunar lander and augmented reality stations to allow visitors to recreate the first steps on the Moon, plus new landscaping and themed signage.
The debut of Step. Power. Launch. The interactive experience will be powered by guests stepping on tiles and creating “virtual launches” from digital tours throughout the complex.
Dine With an Astronaut refreshening. The program will move to a new, more intimate location. There will be a new focus on human elements and emotions of space travel.
New on the food front. The Milky Way ice cream shop will receive a new, galaxy-themed façade. The new Red Rock Grill will feature specialty hot dogs and french fries.
For more information, go to kennedyspacecenter.com.