n92r03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Posted (9 months 2 weeks 6 days 6 hours ago) and read 4735 times:
I visited KSC back in the 90's, very interesting. With the Shuttle program retired and the more in depth tours I plan to go again soon.
Has anyone done the guided tours of the launch pad, the VAB or the Launch Control Center? If so, how were they?
Any insight would be appreciated.
I found the basic info at the link below, but I am looking for more of the "a.netter's" perspective. The website currently says "Atlantis has rolled over from the Orbiter Processing Facility to the Vehicle Assembly Building. For a limited time, guests have the opportunity to see Atlantis up-close!", so in my opinion that is worth the 3 hour drive in itself.
Boeing787Guy From United States of America, joined Aug 2012, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 1, posted (9 months 2 weeks 5 days 4 hours ago) and read 4613 times:
I was at KSC this weekend and definitely would recommend the VAB tour. Atlantis is parked off to the side and is in clear, close view for everyone to see and take pictures of. In fact, one of the security guards was kind enough to take my camera back behind the chained off area and he snapped some awesome pics of her from the side view. You’ll spend about 15 minutes or so in the VAB with most of that time spent near the shuttle. The tour is well worth the money it also takes you by the launch pad 39 complex, the Apollo/Saturn Center (where you can take as much time as you want to walk around), along with a few other stops. Since I live near KSC I opted to buy the annual pass and plan on going back to take the remaining tours in the next few weeks.
boeing787guy From United States of America, joined Aug 2012, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 2, posted (9 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 4553 times:
boeing787guy From United States of America, joined Aug 2012, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 3, posted (9 months 2 weeks 4 days 21 hours ago) and read 4551 times:
n92r03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 4, posted (9 months 2 weeks 4 days 4 hours ago) and read 4471 times:
Quoting Boeing787Guy (Reply 1): was at KSC this weekend and definitely would recommend the VAB tour. Atlantis is parked off to the side and is in clear, close view for everyone to see and take pictures of.
Awesome, that is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the info, nice pics as well!
windy95 From United States of America, joined Dec 2008, 2555 posts, RR: 5 Reply 5, posted (9 months 2 weeks 3 days 23 hours ago) and read 4439 times:
Quoting n92r03 (Thread starter): so in my opinion that is worth the 3 hour drive in itself.
Yes. It is a 2 hr + drive for us and it is well worth it. You also get admission to the Astronaut hall of fame which is outside the complex
Quoting n92r03 (Thread starter): Has anyone done the guided tours of the launch pad, the VAB or the Launch Control Center?
Yep the whole tour id very good. Often I am surprised when my wife likes something that my son and I do but she really likes that tour.
Quoting Boeing787Guy (Reply 1): it also takes you by the launch pad 39 complex, the Apollo/Saturn Center (where you can take as much time as you want to walk around)
The Apollo/Saturn complex by itself is worth the price of admission to me.
KSC is a full day if you really want a good look so get there when it opens.
Boeing787Guy From United States of America, joined Aug 2012, 4 posts, RR: 0 Reply 6, posted (9 months 2 weeks 2 days 23 hours ago) and read 4383 times:
I just read where the Endeavour will be moved into the VAB on August 16th for several weeks before it is flown out on September 17th to CA. I'll definitely make sure I get back to snap some pics of her before she leaves.
n92r03 From United States of America, joined Jan 2010, 250 posts, RR: 0 Reply 7, posted (8 months 2 weeks 6 days 2 hours ago) and read 3416 times:
Went last Friday, August 31 and Endeavour was in the VAB. Parked very close to the railing as the tail-cone is installed and per the tour guide, needed more rear clearance from the big doors. Sorry, but I can't seem to get the pic into the post, just think of boeing787guy's pics of Atlantis above, but about 8 feet from the railing. Awesome!
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