Get Up Close with NASA’s Artemis Program at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

With so much excitement surrounding NASA’s Artemis II mission, you may be wondering how you can explore the Artemis Program at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. We have put together a list of exhibits, displays and artifacts that can help you learn more about NASA’s Moon missions and the next giant leap toward Mars. 

Gateway showcases the now and next of NASA and its commercial partners. Learn about the Artemis Program with hands-on displays and up-close views of flight-flown artifacts.

Orion Spacecraft from EFT-1

Orion lifted off on Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1) in 2014 on a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket. EFT-1 was the first test of Orion’s space-worthiness and heat shield. Though the mission was unmanned and stayed in Earth orbit, it tested critical components of the spacecraft and recovery systems.  

Zohar and AstroRad Vest

The Artemis I mission did not have a crew of astronauts, but there were still passengers along for the ride! Two identical manikin torsos, named Zohar and Helga, collected data on solar radiation during the mission. The Zohar manikin wore the AstroRad radiation protection vest while Helga did not. This experiment determined how well the vest protected the crew from solar radiation. One of the manikins, Zohar, is on display along with the AstroRad vest. 

Space Launch System Scale Model

Located immediately to your right as you enter the main hall of Gateway, you are greeted by a 1:25 scale model of the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket and Orion spacecraft. The model includes the mobile launcher (ML) and crawler-transporter that is used to move the rocket to the launch pad.  

RL-10 Engine by L3Harris

The RL10 engine powered the interim cryogenic propulsion stage, or ICPS, on the Artemis I and Artemis II missions. This interactive engine allows you to step into the role of test engineer and try your hand at fueling and igniting the engine.  

Full-Scale Model of Orion Spacecraft in NASA Central

Notice a difference in the flight flown Orion spacecraft from EFT-1 and the full-scale model of Orion located in NASA Central? The full-scale model shows the silver thermal control coating on the outside of the spacecraft. This thermal control coating helps regulate the spacecraft’s temperature.  

RS-25 Engine by L3Harris in Space Shuttle Atlantis®

The RS-25 engines that powered NASA’s Space Shuttle Program are helping power future Artemis missions. Sixteen RS-25 engines that were stored away following the shuttle program have been adapted for flight on the Space Launch System rocket. Artemis V is scheduled to fly all new RS-25 engines while Artemis I-IV will fly repurposed RS-25 shuttle engines. See a model of an RS-25 engine in Space Shuttle Atlantis and learn about the dynamic temperatures they experience during flight. 

Be part of the journey to the Moon and beyond when you visit Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.  

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