Check Off Your Bucket List

Seeing a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast is on many people’s bucket list, and there’s no way to get closer to the action than through special viewing options offered by the visitor complex. Watch from behind NASA’s gates and enjoy live commentary from space experts, bleacher seating, and access to the visitor complex’s attractions and exhibits.

Launch viewing opportunities are determined by the launch window, launch pad, visitor complex operations, Space Force Range Safety and NASA approval, and/or anticipated public interest. Check out the Events Calendar at KennedySpaceCenter.com for upcoming launch viewing opportunities.

• Space Shuttle Atlantis®: Discover the legacy of NASA’s Space Shuttle Program. With interactive and immersive exhibits, Space Shuttle Atlantis is a moving celebration of humankind’s greatest achievements that’s as fascinating as it is inspiring.
• Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour: Board the bus to see NASA’s Kennedy Space Center. The tour makes two stops. Relive the Apollo-era missions and see the massive Saturn V Moon rocket up close at the Apollo/Saturn V Center. The newest stop, The Gantry at LC-39, showcases 360-degree panoramic views of active launch pads, a full-scale rocket engine that comes to life during a simulated static-fire test, and many hands-on exhibits.
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex®: Discover the current cutting-edge space exploration innovations from NASA and commercial partners. Then, enter the spaceport of the future, Spaceport KSC®, to journey through the solar system and beyond during an immersive ride.
• Meet an Astronaut: Daily astronaut presentations and the Chat with an Astronaut add-on enhancement each allow you to interact with a real veteran NASA astronaut every day.
• Rocket Garden: NASA’s Mercury, Gemini, and Apollo programs are represented by this garden of giants, not just as engineering feats of technology, but also as a tribute to the scientists and engineers who turned dreams of spaceflight into reality

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive early: There is so much to do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and so little time to do it. Guests are often disappointed that when they choose to arrive later in the day they end up missing out on large sections of the experience. Your family can explore for 2 days and still not run out of things to discover.
• Plan Ahead: Knowing which attractions you want to see and planning your route you get the most out of your visit. The visitor complex sometimes offers special events and presentations included with admission, and viewing opportunities for launches. If you can time your visit with a launch attempt there are sometimes speakers and events centered around them as well. Visit their Event Calendar for what’s happening during your visit

Related Yearly Events

• One-Space – June: Party with your fellow space nerds, astronauts, and more and celebrate the pioneers who dare to take humanity beyond our planet–from the first steps on the Moon to the latest advancements in private spaceflight
• Space Coast International Air Show – April/May: South Brevard’s premiere Air Show takes over the skies above Melbourne
• Thunder on Cocoa Beach – May: Get your adrenaline pumping as power boats and other watercraft race to be king of Cocoa Beach
• Cocoa Beach Air Show – July: Enjoy the waves and sun, while some of the greatest aircraft in the world put on a show above Cocoa Beach
• Taste of Space/Marstini Shake-Off – October – November : Sample the special menu at the Visitor Complex and enjoy special food and drink events all month
• Holidays in Space – December: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex goes all out for the holidays with special exhibits and decorations