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How to spend a day at KSC?



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 3rd 05, 03:04 AM
A.H.
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Default How to spend a day at KSC?

DELURK

On an upcoming work trip to Orlando, it appears that I will have
commitments on Sunday evening and then Tuesday, with a "dead" day in
between. As a modest space history fan (who has appreciated book
recommendations and other nuggets on this forum), I thought I would
take that Monday to drive to KSC, where I have never been.

So, with just 1 day to work with (maybe just 3/4 of a day, since I will
need to begin and end in Orlando), how should I spend my time (and
money, which I wouldn't mind spending for this cause) to see the most
neat stuff? Preferably technical and historical stuff? It looks like
they have a variety of different tours and tickets to choose from. Any
pointers like "be sure to look for this neat artifact in such-and-such
corner on this tour" would also be appreciated.

Related question: Is the Astronaut HOF worth spending part of my day
on, or should I stick just to things at KSC?

Allan the mostly lurker

  #2  
Old October 3rd 05, 04:28 AM
TVDad Jim
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Neil Armstrong's first act after stepping on the Moon was to open a
pocket in his pants and fill it with a "contingency sample" of lunar
soil. That way, if he and Buzz had to leave immediately, at least he'd
have something to show for the trip.

Your "contingency sample" at KSC should be the Rocket Garden and the
Saturn V Center. Work everything else around those two destinations.
Make sure you get to stand under the business end of the Saturn V's
first stage. That's worth the whole trip.

  #3  
Old October 3rd 05, 05:21 AM
John Whisenhunt
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Jim's advice is right on target. See the Apollo presentations. The Saturn V
Center is the best part of the three main tour stops, the other two being
the launch pad observation platform and the space station center. I think
the Rocket Garden is the last free exhibit, and much of it is real hardware.
If you decide to do just one premium package, I recommend the NASA Up Close
Tour: it gets you closest to the Saturn/Shuttle Pad 39 complex, and a number
of the working portions of the center.

I found the AHOF to be very enjoyable because of all the astronaut's
personal artifacts, but I'd save it for a return visit if KSC main is your
primary target.

Enjoy your trip.

JW

Whizzospace.com


  #4  
Old October 3rd 05, 06:08 PM
Ed Kyle
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John Whisenhunt wrote:
Jim's advice is right on target. See the Apollo presentations. The Saturn V
Center is the best part of the three main tour stops, the other two being
the launch pad observation platform and the space station center. I think
the Rocket Garden is the last free exhibit, and much of it is real hardware.


The rocket garden isn't free anymore, unless you
don't mind looking at rockets from a distance
through a fence next to a security post. A
few years ago, the outfit that runs the place
threw up a perimeter fence/gate around the entire
Visitors Center, so that you have to pay to get in
- even if you just want to go to the book store.

- Ed Kyle

  #5  
Old October 3rd 05, 10:44 PM
John Whisenhunt
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"Ed Kyle" wrote in message
oups.com...
The rocket garden isn't free anymore, unless you
don't mind looking at rockets from a distance
through a fence next to a security post. A
few years ago, the outfit that runs the place
threw up a perimeter fence/gate around the entire
Visitors Center, so that you have to pay to get in
- even if you just want to go to the book store.


RATS!


  #6  
Old October 4th 05, 01:56 AM
Pat Flannery
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John Whisenhunt wrote:

.


The rocket garden isn't free anymore, unless you
don't mind looking at rockets from a distance
through a fence next to a security post. A
few years ago, the outfit that runs the place
threw up a perimeter fence/gate around the entire
Visitors Center, so that you have to pay to get in
- even if you just want to go to the book store.



RATS!



Considering that the rockets in the rocket garden were paid for with
taxpayer dollars (and a hell of a lot of them at that) that really sucks.

Pat
  #7  
Old October 4th 05, 02:21 AM
Scott Hedrick
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"Pat Flannery" wrote in message
...
Considering that the rockets in the rocket garden were paid for with
taxpayer dollars (and a hell of a lot of them at that) that really sucks.


Gee, and to think I was mildly abused for suggesting that same thing
sometime back.


  #8  
Old October 4th 05, 02:56 AM
Greg D. Moore \(Strider\)
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"Pat Flannery" wrote in message
...




Considering that the rockets in the rocket garden were paid for with
taxpayer dollars (and a hell of a lot of them at that) that really sucks.


Originally paid for. Upkeep is another issue.

Personally, on one hand, I think the fact that Deleware North is charging
sucks, but on the other hand, for the most part, the quality of the
exhibits, etc. HAS gone up.

I think honestly at this point I wouldn't mind paying, if it weren't quite
so expensive.

http://www.ksctickets.com/ for moer details.
(if you plan on going more than once in the year.. go for the 12-month
Pass).

Also, if you show up after noon, ask about a 1/2 day discount. they don't
advertise it, but they do offer it if you ask around.



Pat



  #9  
Old October 4th 05, 07:31 AM
OM
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On Mon, 3 Oct 2005 21:21:09 -0400, "Scott Hedrick"
wrote:


"Pat Flannery" wrote in message
...
Considering that the rockets in the rocket garden were paid for with
taxpayer dollars (and a hell of a lot of them at that) that really sucks.


Gee, and to think I was mildly abused for suggesting that same thing
sometime back.


....Were you? I can't recall that one, although I personally agree with
Pat with regards to the rocket garden. The sole exception, of course,
has been the Saturn V restorations. I've no problem with paying to see
them once they've been reworked and giftwrapped, but at the same time
whoever's running the show doesn't need to get greedy, either. A
dollar is the proper price for admission, with extra donations always
being a welcome option. It's worked for decades for the Battleship
Texas, and they don't even *have* a minimum admission.

....Speaking of Saturn restorations, has anyone heard anything on the
progress of the JSC one? The e-mail address I had for the guy in
charge no longer works(*), and the last time I was at JSC a few weeks
ago, *nobody* had a clue and were curious themselves.

(*) Not that it matters. The guy was a total jerk, and after the first
curt reply to my query on status - "well make an announcement when
we're ready." - he refused to respond to *any* queries.
OM

--

"Try Andre Dead Duck Canadian Champagne! | http://www.io.com/~o_m
Rated the lamest of the cheapest deported | Sergeant-At-Arms
brands by the Condemned in Killfile Hell!" | Human O-Ring Society
  #10  
Old October 4th 05, 08:36 AM
Pat Flannery
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OM wrote:

...Speaking of Saturn restorations, has anyone heard anything on the
progress of the JSC one? The e-mail address I had for the guy in
charge no longer works(*), and the last time I was at JSC a few weeks
ago, *nobody* had a clue and were curious themselves.



Oh-oh...sounds like the the contributors might have gotten "their
peckers cut off with a razor blade that was so sharp that they didn't
even feel it." as LBJ would put it. :-)

Pat
 




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