Those who know me already know I’m a total space‑nerd. I’ve managed to catch three launches so far:
- STS‑135 (Atlantis) – the very last shuttle flight, July 8 2011
- SpaceX CRS‑21 – Falcon 9 cargo mission, December 6 2020
- A surprise Falcon 9 – spotted from the window of a south‑bound flight over Florida
In between launch streaks I finally carved out a full day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex (KSCVC) on New Year’s Day 2019. I’m writing this years later because the photos are still too good not to share and friends keep asking for tips.
Why it’s worth a day‑trip (even if you’re “not a space person”)
Behind‑the‑gates bus tour – The only way to see the Vehicle Assembly Building, crawler‑ways, and the Apollo/Saturn V Center up close.
Big, show‑stopping hardware – Atlantis is displayed nose‑high with payload bay doors open, and the Saturn V hangs overhead in its own cathedral‑sized hall. It’s very “Air & Space Museum in D.C.”…but super‑sized.
Hands‑on without feeling like homework – Interactive kiosks and the Shuttle Launch Experience simulator kept my attention without reading a wall of text.
Highlights
The highlights of the trip were seeing the space shuttle Atlantis up close and the massive Saturn V rocket in the hangar you reach by bus; check out the gallery below!
