All the Information You Need About NASA's Kennedy Space Center
What is the Kennedy Space Center?
The John F. Kennedy Space Center is located on Merritt Island, Florida. It is one of the ten field centers of National Aeronautics and Space Administration's (NASA). Since 1968, NASA Kennedy Space Center has been the main launch center of human spaceflight. Famous launch operations like the one for Apollo and Skylab were carried out from Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39. Kennedy Space Center also manages the launch of robotic and commercial crew missions and researches food production and In-Situ Resource Utilization for off-Earth exploration. There are 700 facilities and buildings across Kennedy Space Center. The Visitor Complex is one of them and houses the major attractions and exhibits for visitors to explore.
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Official Name: John F. Kennedy Space Center
Opening Date: 1 July, 1962
Function: Launch center for human spaceflight
Owner: National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA)
Location: Merritt Island, Florida
Former Name: Launch Operations Center
Size: 144,000 acres
No. of Visitors Per Year: Over 1.7 million
What is the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex?
While the NASA Kennedy Space Center is spread across 144,000 acres with multiple facilities for launches and other operations, the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is where you need to be! This visitor center is open to the public and features exhibits, displays, memorabilia, two IMAX theatres, and several bus tours.
The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex also has daily presentations from a veteran NASA astronaut. It is divided into 5 mission zones, each with a unique set of displays and exhibits.
More About the Kennedy Center Visitor ComplexWhere is the Kennedy Space Center Located?
Address: Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA | Find on maps
NASA's Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is in Central Florida, located extremely close to Orlando and Daytona Beach. There is no public transportation available to the Visitor Complex. However, you can access it by car. It is a 51 minute drive from the airport and there are ample parking facilities available at the Visitor Complex. The nearest airport to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is Melbourne (MLB) Airport. You can also book tickets with round trip transfers for a hassle-free experience.
Kennedy Space Center Opening Hours
Monday to Sunday : 9 AM - 5 PM
Duration of visit: A full day to ensure you see all attractions or 2 hours on a bus tour.
Why is NASA's Kennedy Space Center Famous?
Kennedy Space Center in Florida is pivotal in NASA’s mission. It is the base for Space Shuttle launch and landing operations. Every manned mission to space has departed from NASA Kennedy Space Center. Over the years, it has evolved to become the starting point for hundreds of scientific and applications spacecraft.
Kennedy Space Center garnered more recognition for being the launch site of the Hubble Space Telescope, the Mars Rover Project, and New Horizons., which was the first spacecraft to ever visit Pluto.
Kennedy Spacec Center Launches & ProgramsWhy Was the Kennedy Space Center Established?
President Dwight Eisenhower founded NASA in 1958 and the NASA Launch Operations Center in East Florida was opened in 1962. This facility was later renamed in honor of President Kennedy. President Kennedy’s goal of a crewed lunar landing by 1970 required the expansion of existing launch operations.
Cape Canaveral turned out to be inadequate to host the new launch facility design and eventually a decision was made to build a new Launch Operations Center. This new center came to be known as the NASA Kennedy Space Center in Orlando, Florida.
History of the Kennedy Space Center in a Nutshell
- In September 1961, NASA sought to purchase land on Merritt Island to support the Apollo Lunar Landing Program. This land eventually became the Kennedy Space Center we know today.
- In March 1962, the Launch Operations Center (LOC) was established as an independent NASA field center located on Merritt Island.
- In November 1963, President Lyndon Johnson announced that the facilities of the Launch Operations Center and Station No. 1 of the Atlantic Missile Range as the John F. Kennedy Space Center.
- The NASA Kennedy Space Center Headquarters building was formally opened on May 26, 1965.
- The Visitor Complex at NASA Kennedy Space Center Florida began when NASA Administrator James Webb established self-guided for the public to drive along predetermined routes through the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
- As the American Space Program grew in popularity, more and more people were interested in getting a close up view of the Kennedy Space Center and its operations.
- The government urged Webb to create a dedicated visitors’ program and by 1964 more than 250,000 self-guided car tours took place at the Kennedy Space Center.
- Over the years, with more funding, the Visitor Complex was expanded to include more attractions and increase visitor footfall.
Highlights at NASA's Kennedy Space Center
Heroes & Legends
This exhibit focuses on the legends of NASA’s early space program and how these men and women made their dreams a reality.
Shuttle: A Ship Like No Other
Admire a real space shuttle suspended overhead with the payload doors open. Atlantis is one of the three space-flown shuttles to be on display in the United States.
Behind the Gates
Be a part of some of history's greatest moments as you explore different launch locations at the Kennedy Space Center.
Race to the Moon
Also known as the Apollo/Saturn V Center, this mission zone is dedicated to the Apollo Moon landings, and the courageous people and machines involved.
NASA Now + Next
Get a close look at the journey of space exploration and the exciting things that are yet to come at this exciting exhibit.
Book Your Kennedy Space Center Tickets & Tours
Frequently Asked Questions About NASA's Kennedy Space Center
A. NASA's Kennedy Space Center is located at Space Commerce Way, Merritt Island, FL 32953, USA.
A. The Kennedy Space Center was established in 1962.
A. The Kennedy Space Center is famous for being NASA’s primary launch center of human spaceflight.
A. No, you need to purchase tickets to visit the NASA Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex and view its attractions. You can book your tickets here.
A. Kennedy Space Center tickets start from $80.25.
A. Yes, visiting NASA's Kennedy Space Center is an educational, entertaining, and a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
A. The Kennedy Space Center was built in Florida because it is relatively close to the equator compared to other locations in the United States.
A. The NASA Kennedy Space Center opened on 1 July 1962.
A. The Kennedy Space Center is owned by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA).
A. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is divided into 5 mission zones, each of which have a unique set of attractions and exhibits.
A. The Kennedy Space Center is open from 9 AM to 5 PM everyday.
