We Are Made of Star Stuff - and Steel Beams
Published: July 7 2025 Updated: July 9 2025
It’s not rocket science, but it does take some strategic planning and creativity to pull off a grand opening for the now and next of NASA.
For Chief Operating Officer, Therrin Protze, tethering a near 230-foot-tall rocket to the ceiling and blazing skyward jets overhead was the only logical option in carrying out his vision for Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex ®.
“I think the highlight was watching the F104s fly right over. I’ll never forget the owner looking at me and he goes ‘I can see his face,’—that’s how close it was.”
In episode 1.02, Jenna and Therrin discuss the ins and outs of designing Carl Sagan-inspired windows to the cosmos in the motion theaters of Spaceport KSC. Through Gateway’s rotating exhibits and real flight flown artifacts, Therrin shares how it truly epitomizes the effortlessly educational experience.
“This is the next of NASA, the future and commercial space crews are in here. We really developed relationships with some great companies who then provided fantastic content and even real rockets right in this place.”
Chart your own course at the visitor complex! Have any questions? You can message us on social at @ExploreSpaceKSC on X and @kennedyspacecenter on Facebook and Instagram.
Go beyond and discover something real at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.