Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Kennedy Space Center's most important addition to date opensUsers viewing this topic: No registered users and 1 guest Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!On Saturday, Theme Park Review was able to attend the grand opening of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, easily the most important (and impressive) addition to hit the attraction since its opening in 1967. Now home to the actual Space Shuttle Atlantis from the shuttle program, this exhibit is the only one of the four shuttle exhibits to feature the shuttle on an angle, allowing guests to walk around and underneath the spacecraft in addition to seeing both payload bay doors fully open with the robotic arm fully extended. The exhibit also hosts a full scale recreation of the Hubble Space Telescope, also able to be walked around and beneath.
Unlike the other three shuttle exhibits, Space Shuttle Atlantis has been designed as a total experience, offering a gradual (but powerful) buildup to the reveal of the actual orbiter, including a pass underneath the towering rocket boosters (recreation) as well as two preshows. The complex has also merged into the existing Shuttle Launch Experience building, placing the formerly outside queue and buildup for that experience inside as a part of the larger complex. There are a multitude of interactive experiences within the Space Shuttle Atlantis complex and so much information to absorb. We spent five hours in the complex alone and didn't nearly get to experience everything or read every detail presented. There is simply nothing to compare the Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit to... The Kennedy Space Center Visitor's Complex has developed an awe-inspiring package that represents all that the shuttle program meant to Florida, to the United States and to the world, all while allowing guests to really see everything that the shuttle program was operationally in ways never before presented. I couldn't sing high enough praise if I tried. The Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit is a marvel of its own kind and deserves your visit as soon as you can make it--I'll definitely be revisiting it very soon!
Last edited by jedimaster1227 on Tue Jul 16, 2013 6:07 pm.
Change the scheme, Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls if you would be so kind!
![]() Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening (2)(Continued)
Change the scheme, Alter the mood! Electrify the boys and girls if you would be so kind!
![]() Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Very cool! I checked out Endeavor in Los Angeles, and it was definitely awe inspiring. And in typical LA fashion, instead of a full on impressive exhibit (which they are still trying to raise money for), the shuttle is just in a giant temporary building.
This exhibit looks AWESOME and completely blows the LA one away! I did the VIP tour of KSC like 10 years ago...this exhibit will definitely bring me back for the first time since then! ![]() Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Impressive. I will need to make it down there some time. One of the local museums up here is collecting a load of Space Shuttle related artifacts, such as one of the orange external fuel tanks and one of the simulators, though they are still trying to raise money to put together a building to house everything..
Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Very impressive such a stunning exibit for a stunning vehicle. I used to work for the media and have covered a few launches and one landing. My first launch viewing was Discovery in 1988 after the downtime following Challenger. Kennedy Space Center is top notch all the way, you can't help but be impressed with everything on the Space Center grounds. I can't wait to see this for myself with my son.
![]() Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!That looks really amazing! I was one of those nerd space kids growing up, and this is definitely something I absolutely have to see. It really looks like they did a great job!
![]() ![]() Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!This really looks like a great exhibit. It looks very fun and informative. I've always been a space nerd (well mostly just a nerd, but especially for space or the ocean.) I haven't been to the Kennedy Space Center in a very long time. I really need to go back there now. It looks spectacular.
![]() Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Great trip report. The shuttle is displayed much better than the one at NYC. I will definitely have to check it out the next time I am in Florida.
The Kennedy Space Center was definitely one of the key players in the shuttle program since everything launched from there. But as soon as it cleared the launch tower, mission control in Houston took over for the rest of the flight. I worked three years as a shuttle safety engineer back in the 90's at the Johnson Space Center in Houston. I still find it sad that Houston didn't get a shuttle. Houston is the center for manned space flight. All of the astronauts trained and lived here. The main home of the shuttle program was here. All of the engineers that designed the missions and worked on the shuttle lived here also. Awesome pictures. I love how they displayed the shuttle as if it was flying in orbit.
Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!We've been to Kennedy Space Centre in November 2012 and we had the pleasure to see Atlantis from outside, when they build this huge building. We stopped right in the middle of the street to take pictures. It is amazing to see how this whole complex now looks in the end!!!
We will definitely visit Kennedy Space Centre again, when we come back to Florida!!!! Re: Photo TR: Space Shuttle Atlantis Exhibit Grand Opening!Awesome exhibition, great report. Shame my upcoming trip to Florida doesnt include a trip to NASA
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