Kennedy Space Center Shuttle Launch Day

For a once in a lifetime experience, head to Kennedy Space Center for a shuttle launch in the early hours of the morning. Enjoy time exploring the center before taking your position at the closest vantage point to the launch site accessible to the general public. Witness the launch of the space shuttle on the latest NASA mission. From the closest vantage point available to the public you can join the countdown and see the shuttle's spectacular blast-off into space. Prior to the launch you have time to visit Kennedy Space Center, however some attractions may not be available on launch day.

A day at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex includes; KSC Tour of NASA's Launch Headquarters, Shuttle Launch Experience, both IMAX films, all shows and exhibits and a visit to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. The tour includes a stop at the LC-39 observation gantry for a bird's eye view of the Space Shuttle launch pads.

Stop at the Apollo/Saturn V Center where you will walk beneath a massive Saturn V rocket, relive Neil Armstrong's first steps on the moon and experience the thunderous rumble of a Saturn V moon rocket lift-off. Continue with IMAX movie screenings of "Magnificent Desolation: Walking on the Moon 3D" narrated by Tom Hanks, or "Space Station 3D," which takes you on a virtual trip to the International Space Station.

Enjoy other shows and exhibits at the Visitor Complex including a chance to meet an astronaut at the Astronaut Encounter Show. The Shuttle Launch Experience is a journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the Space Shuttle. Strap in for an authentic simulation, replicating the sights, sounds and feelings of a shuttle launch.

Finish your visit at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. This attraction features the world's largest collection of personal astronaut mementos, historic spacecraft and hands on activities. Sit in a mission control console, take a virtual moonwalk, feel the pull of 4Gs in the G-Force Simulator and land the Space Shuttle.

2010 Launch Dates: (See itinerary below for more details)
March 18
May 14
July 29
September 16

Schedule details

Departure Dates:

Select a month to view a calendar of availability and departure details.

Departure Point:

Tour departs from selected meeting points in Orlando including:

• Howard Johnson Maingate West
• Best Western Lakeside
• Howard Johnson Maingate East
• Ramada Eastgate
• All Star Music Resort
• Cirque Du Soleil
• Comfort Inn LBV
• Holiday Inn I-Drive
• Quality Inn I-Drive
• Sizzler South I-Drive
• International Resort

Departure Time:

Lift off times are subject to change without notice.

Return Details:

Returns to original departure point

Pricing information

Click the link below to check pricing & availability on your preferred travel date. Our pricing is constantly updated to ensure you always receive the lowest price possible.

Additional information

Inclusions:

• Launch viewing
• General admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center
• Pickup and drop off from designated meeting points
• Local taxes

Please note: Access to some areas of Kennedy Space Center Visitors Center may be restricted and/or unavailable on launch days

Exclusions:

• Gratuities (optional)
• Food and drinks

Additional Information:

• Confirmation will be received at time of booking, unless booked within 5 days of travel. In this case confirmation will be received within 48 hours, subject to availability

Terms and Conditions:

Due to the nature of this tour, the launch can be scrubbed (canceled) at any time. To ensure that you receive the best possible experience, please read the following Terms and Conditions (by purchasing this product, you agree to abide by them).

If outside of the 3-day (72-hour) scheduled departure time, NASA reschedules the launch day to a later date, you may cancel or reschedule your tour to the new launch date at no charge.

If within 3 days (72 hours) of the scheduled date (up to the point of boarding our tour bus), NASA scrubs/reschedules the launch to a later date, you have two options:

1. Reschedule to the new launch date at a cost of $25.00 USD per person/per each day rescheduled (i.e. if the second day is scrubbed, each day that you choose to reschedule thereafter, you must pay the additional $25.00 USD per person/per each day).

2. Visit the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on the originally scheduled date. If you choose this, your Launch Transportation Ticket will be valid as either a retail or food voucher in the amount of $15.00 USD. No change will be issued on these vouchers, so you are advised to use this on purchases of at least $15.00 USD (once you turn in your Launch Transportation Ticket to the driver of the launch transportation, or make a purchase, you forfeit any future use of that ticket).

If within 3 days (72 hours) of the scheduled date, there will be no refunds should the shuttle launch be rescheduled to a date outside of your vacation.

Lost or stolen admission and Launch Transportation Tickets will not be replaced and a new admission would need to be purchased for each person in addition to the $25.00 USD per person transportation charge.

Once at the Kennedy Space Center Visitors Complex, but prior to using the transportation to the Viewing Site, no refunds will be issued. You will be able to enjoy the Space Center with normal admission on the original launch date.

All additional payments as advised above are due directly to the tour operator. Outside of these conditions, standard Viator Terms and Conditions apply.do not occupy a seat.

Itinerary:

Shuttle Discovery
Launch date: March 18, 2010
Launch time: approx. 1:34pm EDT
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-131 will be the 33rd U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry a Multi-Purpose Logistics Module with supplies and experiments for utilization aboard the station.

Shuttle Atlantis
Launch date: May 14, 2010
Launch time: approx, 2:28pm EDT
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-132 will be the 34th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry the Russian Mini-Research Module 1 to be attached to the Zarya module of the station. Atlantis will also haul maintenance supplies and spare parts to the station on an integrated cargo carrier.

Shuttle Endeavour
Launch date: July 29, 2010
Launch time: approx. 7:51am EDT
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-134 will be the 35th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry the Alpha Magnetic Spectrometer to be attached for research at the station. Endeavour will also haul maintenance supplies and spare parts to the station on the third ExPRESS Logistics Carrier.

Shuttle Discovery
Launch date: September 16, 2010
Launch time: approx. 11:57 a.m. EDT
Launch site: LC-39A, Kennedy Space Center, Florida
STS-133 will be the 36th U.S. mission to the International Space Station. The flight will carry the fourth ExPRESS Logistics Carrier with spare parts for the station. Discovery will also deliver the Permanent Multipurpose Module (PMM).

Terms and Conditions:

If you cancel at least 7 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is no cancellation fee.
If you cancel between 4 and 6 day(s) in advance of the scheduled departure, there is a 50 per cent cancellation fee.
If you cancel within 3 day(s) of the scheduled departure, there is a 100 per cent cancellation fee.

Local Operator Information:

Complete Operator information, including local telephone numbers at your destination, are included on your Confirmation Voucher. Our Product Managers select only the most experienced and reliable operators in each destination, removing the guesswork for you, and ensuring your peace of mind.