Launch Viewing Ticket Information – Visitor Complex Launch Viewing
Thank you for your purchase. Witnessing a space shuttle launch is a rare and special event. Visitor Complex exhibits, shows and special presentations will run throughout the day. 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 dates and times, as well as Visitor Complex operational schedules, are subject to change.
Important Launch Viewing Information1. VEHICLE PLACARD - On launch day, Kennedy Space Center is a restricted area and will be open only to 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 Kennedy Space Center on launch day. It is valid for all passengers in the vehicle.
2. ARRIVAL TIME: YOU MUST ARRIVE BY YOUR SCHEDULED ARRIVAL TIME - The arrival time listed on your vehicle placard or ticket is the time to arrive at the Visitor Complex on launch day. If you arrive after this time, entrance through security on launch day may not be guaranteed.
NOTE: These arrival times are only valid for the original launch attempt date. If the launch attempt date changes, the arrival time will change. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to the latest Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Launch Information Sheet at KennedySpaceCenter.com/LVO for operating hours and arrival times or call (866) 737-5235. The security gates to Kennedy Space Center close to ALL incoming traffic (with or without placards) approximately 2 hours before launch and will reopen approximately 1 hour following launch.
3. FOLLOW THE LAUNCH: IT IS THE VISITOR’S RESPONSIBILITY TO KEEP UP WITH THE DATE AND TIME OF THE SHUTTLE LAUNCH - Please check KennedySpaceCenter.com/SpaceShuttle (the Visitor Complex Web site) or nasa.gov/missions/highlights/schedule.html (NASA’s official launch schedule) for any mission updates prior to leaving for the Visitor Complex. Follow the Visitor Complex on Twitter to receive up-to-the-minute launch updates: twitter.com/ExploreSpaceKSC.
Keep your tickets and vehicle placards – In the event of a date change, these items will be required to access the Visitor Complex on subsequent launch attempt days. In the event that the launch is rescheduled, please refer to KennedySpaceCenter.com/LVO 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 tickets you have purchased to see the launch are mission specific (example: STS-128), not a particular date. Launch tickets are valid for admission on launch day (and subsequent launch attempts for the mission if delays occur) and may be used one additional day within a 7-day time period to explore the rest of the Visitor Complex shows and exhibits included with admission.
Launch times and date, and operational hours are subject to change. Launching humans into space is a very complex business, and the safety of the crew is NASA’s number one priority. Hundreds of different factors can cause a scheduled launch date to change many times.
A. Admission Tickets: Launch Postponement - 1) If the launch date moves or delays prior to your arrival at Kennedy Space Center: Tickets are mission specific, not date specific. The ticket is labeled with the mission number (example: STS-128). AD is the adult ticket, CH is the child ticket. The tickets you have are good for the next launch attempt. Your vehicle placard is also still good for subsequent launch attempts. 2) If the launch date moves or is delayed after you have arrived at Kennedy Space Center: Your used admission ticket will be valid for limited admission for subsequent launch attempts within the launch window.
B. Dine With an Astronaut Ticket: Launch Postponement - The event will generally still go on as scheduled. The Visitor Complex does reserve the right to cancel or reschedule a Dine With an Astronaut program if the launch date changes. Please verify with Guest Relations if you are at the Visitor Complex and the date changes, or call 321-449-4400 and select option 1 for the automated launch hotline.
5. DRIVING DIRECTIONS/TRAVEL - Access to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is permitted via State Road 405 in Titusville or State Road 3 in Merritt Island. Park your vehicle in guest parking, proceed to the Ticket Plaza and bypass the ticket booths since you already hold tickets. Please refer to the parking placard in your packet for a map.
Expect heavy traffic on launch day. Plan extra travel time before and after your visit. The Visitor Complex will generally have post-launch activities for guests who want to remain on property.
6. VISITOR COMPLEX VIEWING AREA – Most visitors viewing from the Visitor Complex view the launch from the Rocket Garden lawn or Space Shuttle Plaza.
This is an outdoor viewing area at the main Visitor Complex with limited seating and no covered viewing. There are many activities planned for the day including special astronaut appearances. Please pick up a daily schedule from Information Central once you arrive at the Visitor Complex for a complete list of times and activities. This package does not contain a Launch Transportation Ticket, therefore you will NOT be boarding a bus to go out to the NASA Causeway. However, even though you will not be able to see the space shuttle sitting on the launch pad from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, you will have a direct view of the space shuttle immediately after it has cleared the tree line following initial lift-off. Additionally, a large outdoor screen is located directly adjacent to the viewing area and will broadcast images of launch preparations and the actual launch.
Please see the security restrictions for specific types of chairs allowed. For summer launches, you should bring insect repellant, sunglasses and sunscreen. Don’t forget your camera - a shuttle launch is the ultimate photo opportunity. The viewing area is approximately 7 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!
While most Visitor Complex exhibits and shows will be open on launch day, the KSC Bus Tours may be in limited operation. We recommend you plan on taking the tour offerings on the days before or after the launch attempt. The Visitor Complex retail and food locations will also be open.
7. SECURITY/SAFETY - The Visitor Complex has magnetometers similar to an airport. Please be prepared to have your personal items inspected. Security will be checking every person via metal detectors and opening every bag, so please expect delays. Please carefully review the security policy:
The following items are not permitted on property:Hard-side coolers (soft-sided coolers are permitted), fire arms of any type (with or without a permit), ammunition (live or spent), pepper/mace sprays, knives, box cutters or like items, nail clippers with knife blades, laser pointers, large beach-type umbrellas, on-property cooking or grilling, any other sharp/pointed items (including pointed scissors or nail files) luggage or other large bags are not permitted through the front gate.
All bags, purses and other items will be opened and thoroughly inspected at the Visitor Complex. (Procedures to search all bags carried into the Complex by visitors & employees are actions taken as part of the increase in security and not part of a specific threat to our facilities.)
Blankets and collapsible camping/umbrella-style folding chairs that are carried in shoulder bags are 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.