Launch Viewing Ticket Information - U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Witnessing a space shuttle launch is a rare and special event. Please review the following information carefully. If you have additional questions, please call (866) 737-5235 prior to your trip. Please expect heavy call volume on the days immediately surrounding the launch date. Launch date and times, as well as U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex operational schedules, are subject to change.
Important Launch Viewing Information
The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame Launch Viewing Only ticket package includes access to the launch viewing area at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. Your admission ticket includes access to the Hall of Fame, which features hands-on exhibits, historic spacecraft and the world's largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia. This ticket does not include admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
1. VEHICLE PLACARD - On launch day, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is open only to Astronaut Hall of Fame launch viewing ticket holders and those who have received an official launch vehicle placard. Vehicles must display this placard on the driver’s side front windshield of the vehicle in order to gain access to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on launch day. It is valid for all passengers in the vehicle.
2. ARRIVAL TIME: PLEASE ARRIVE BY THE TIME LISTED ON YOUR PLACARD
The arrival time listed on your vehicle placard is the time you should arrive to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on launch day. If you arrive after this time, entrance to the Hall of Fame on launch day may not be guaranteed.
NOTE: These arrival times are only valid for the original launch attempt date. If the launch date changes, the arrival time will change. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle for operating hours and arrival times or call 866-737-5235.
3. FOLLOW THE LAUNCH: IT IS THE VISITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE DATE AND TIME OF THE SPACE SHUTTLE LAUNCH
Please check KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle (the Visitor Complex website) or nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html (NASA’s official launch schedule) for any mission updates prior to leaving for the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.
Follow Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Facebook or Twitter to receive launch updates:
Facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex or twitter.com/ExploreSpaceKSC
Keep your tickets and vehicle placard – In the event of a date change, your ticket will be required to access the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on subsequent launch attempt days. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle or call (866) 737-5235 for Visitor Complex operating hours and arrival times.
4. DATE CHANGES DUE TO POSTPONEMENT: Please remember that all LAUNCH TICKETS ARE NON-REFUNDABLE. The launch viewing tickets you have purchased are mission specific (example: STS-134), not date specific. In the event of a scrub, your tickets are valid for the next time that particular mission attempts to launch. If travel plans don’t allow you to return for the next shuttle launch attempt, you may choose to use your ticket for admission into the Hall of Fame at anytime.
Launching humans into space is a very complex business, and the safety of the crew is NASA’s number one priority. Many different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change many times. Launch time and date, and operational hours are subject to change.
5. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME VIEWING AREA - The address to the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is: 6225 Vectorspace Boulevard, Titusville, FL 32899. To access the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on launch day, please take State Road 528 to exit 46 (US 1 in Cocoa). Travel north toward Titusville. Vectorspace Boulevard will be approximately 9 miles on the right and will take you into the Hall of Fame parking lot. You will not be able to access the Astronaut Hall of Fame via SR 405. You must enter via US 1.
When you arrive, you will be directed to park in a nearby lot, or along one of the roads leading to the Astronaut Hall of Fame. After parking, proceed to the main entrance of the Hall of Fame. Once inside, you can check out the viewing area and get yourself oriented. You will want to head to the northeast corner of the property for the best viewing. Your ticket includes admission to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, which you are free to experience at any time during your stay. There are food and beverage stands located near the viewing area.
After launch, traffic is the heaviest. There will be thousands of launch viewers departing at the same time from all around the area, so please plan accordingly.
6. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME VIEWING AREA – The U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame is located just outside the gates of Kennedy Space Center and is approximately 12 miles from the space shuttle launch pads. The viewing area is an open field in the northwest corner of the Hall of Fame property, with standing room only. Remember, even though you will not be able to see the space shuttle sitting on the launch pad from this location, you will have a direct view of the space shuttle after it has cleared the Vehicle Assembly Building, immediately following initial lift-off. Additionally, a large outdoor screen is located directly adjacent to the viewing area and will carry images of the launch preparations and the actual launch.
Blankets and folding chairs are permitted at the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame for launch viewing. We recommend you bring insect repellant, sunglasses and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera - a shuttle launch is the ultimate photo opportunity. The viewing area is approximately 12 miles away from the shuttle launch pad. Some people bring binoculars, telescopes and tripods, cameras and long-range lenses. Because sound travels slower than light, you will see the shuttle launch before you hear it, so watch!
7. THINGS TO DO AT THE U.S. ASTRONAUT HALL OF FAME – In addition to the outdoor viewing area, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame features the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, historic spacecraft, the Science On a Sphere® exhibit, G-Force Trainer simulator, and hands-on activities. Throughout the day, there are special astronaut appearances, including meet-and-greets and photo opportunities with the astronaut, along with space shuttle science demonstrations.
8. SECURITY/SAFETY - Please carefully review the security policy.
The following items are not permitted on property:
Hard-side coolers (soft-sided coolers are permitted), luggage, weapons of any type (with or without a permit), ammunition (live or spent), alcohol, glass containers, large beach-type umbrellas, on-property cooking or grilling items are not permitted.
NASA’s Safety Statement:
Please be advised that hazards are inherent in launching and launch viewing of a space shuttle mission. By accepting the invitation to view the launch or landing you do so with the understanding of the potential risk. Although NASA applies stringent range safety principles and techniques to protect the general public, workforce and property for all areas of the Kennedy Space Center during launch, in the event of an inadvertent circumstance, hazards including debris, blast and toxics could occur.
It is imperative that you stay within controlled areas with your group and strictly follow all instructions provided by NASA. Although an accident during lift-off of the space shuttle is highly unlikely, some safety precautions are necessary. As is the case with the launch of a space vehicle, a potential danger exists from toxic vapors contained in any cloud formed as a result of a launch mishap. In the event of an accident, all persons at the Kennedy Space Center should take shelter immediately in the nearest air-conditioned building.
Please call us if there is an error in your ticket package at (866) 737-5235. We will correct the situation immediately.
Thank you for your patience, understanding and support of NASA and Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We sincerely hope you enjoy your day.