A bus tour takes you up close and personal to the vertical assembly building (VAB) and launch pad 39(LC-39). The very knowledgeable and entertaining drivers narrate along the way. Every thing here is the largest biggest heaviest, most powerful things on earth, even some of the alligators that we saw. The area is a refuge and there are plenty of wildlife sightings.
There is a simulation exhibit of an actual countdown and launch that puts you inside the launch control center as it happens, it's impressive.
The main event is the Apollo/Saturn V Center featuring an actual 363- foot tall (it is lying on its side) Saturn V moon rocket, you can get up close and personal. This is the largest, most powerful; most complicated machine ever built on earth. This facility has two movies telling the history of space exploration and several interactive hands on exhibits.
A sad note is that at least for the near future the International Space Station Center is closed due to security concerns after the Sept. 11 tragedy. This tour takes you inside the actual facility where NASA is preparing components for the space station.
If you play your cards right and check the launch schedules you can visit the space center while there is a shuttle on the pad or if you are lucky actually moving to the pad. In any case don't miss the opportunity you will regret it later. Plan on spending the entire day the time is well worth it.
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