Exclusive Launch Day Experience for Historic Orion Launch Dec. 4 at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Unique Launch-Related Opportunities Offered Nowhere Else

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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Dec 02, 2014, 01:35 ET

CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., Dec. 2, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- KENNEDY SPACE CENTER – There's no better place to be on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 4 than Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where guests can witness firsthand Exploration Flight Test-1 (EFT-1), the test flight of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft. Guests can experience a complete pre-launch-to-post-splashdown program, including launch viewing, Orion-related activities, exhibits, astronaut appearances and live coverage and commentary.

Witness NASA's Orion launch from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on Dec. 4 (PRNewsFoto/Kennedy Space Center Visitor...) (PRNewsFoto/Kennedy Space Center Visitor...)

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"The Orion launch will be visible from many areas across the Space Coast, but there's only one place to feel the rumble, experience the excitement and get up to date, minute-to-minute information from NASA TV, astronauts and space experts — and that's at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex," said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. "This is your chance to be part of history and tell your kids and grandkids you were here when we achieved our first steps toward Mars."

EFT-1, featuring the Orion capsule aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy rocket, is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station as early as 7:05 a.m. The two-orbit, 4.5 hour mission culminates with splashdown of the capsule in the Pacific Ocean.

Programs available:

Journey with Orion and Countdown to Splashdown
John Zarrella, former CNN space expert and correspondent, hosts the Journey with Orion program beginning at 5:30 a.m., and the Countdown to Splashdown program, beginning one hour prior to splashdown. Mission experts and astronauts join Zarrella on stage to share their perspective. Guests will be invited to ask questions and participate in giveaways.

Live NASA TV Coverage
Live NASA TV coverage of the mission, beginning at 4:30 a.m., will broadcast throughout the Visitor Complex on Jumbotron screens in the Rocket Garden and outside Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM, on giant IMAX^® Theater screens, and in the Astronaut Encounter Theater. Live coverage also will be displayed at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Astronaut Appearances
Astronaut appearances scheduled at various locations during the launch countdown include NASA space shuttle astronauts Sam Durrance, Bruce McCandless, Mike McCulley, Jerry Ross and Winston Scott.

Displays
Interactive displays, running Dec. 2-4, will illustrate the significance of these first steps to launching astronauts to Mars:

Exploration Systems Development exhibit featuring Mars, with interactive screens, high-resolution models and a photo op with a mock-up space suit, NASA
Space Launch System presentation of five-segment rocket motor and Launch Abort System, with representatives available for questions, ATK
Full-size RL10 upper stage engine and a RS-68 booster-stage engine model used for Delta IV Heavy Lift Rocket, Aerojet Rocketdyne
Delta IV rocket and EFT-1 mission displays, United Launch Alliance
Social media photo booth with ¼ scale replica of Orion crew capsule, EFT-1 flight pattern and Orion heat shield displays, Lockheed Martin
"I'm On Board" banner signing, NASA
Space Launch System and Orion inflatable, NASA
Commercial Crew Program, NASA
Launch Services Program, NASA
Technology Transfer, NASA
Armstrong Visitor Center, NASA
Mars Rover display, NASA

Photographer Michael Soluri
Guests may meet photographer Michael Soluri on Dec. 3 for a presentation at 12 p.m. in Exploration Space^®: Explorers Wanted, and a book signing at 1 p.m. at The Space Shop for his new book, "Infinite Worlds: The People and Places of Space Exploration."

Speakers
NASA and Orion experts are scheduled to speak Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 on a variety of topics including the Orion spacecraft and Space Launch System.

The launch window on Dec. 4 begins at 7:05 a.m. and extends to 9:44 a.m. Two viewing sites are available for guests: the Apollo/Saturn V Center located within Kennedy Space Center, or the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction at the main Visitor Complex. The Apollo/Saturn V viewing area, available for $20 plus admission, offers a lawn area and bleacher seating with a view of Launch Pad 37, and is accessible only by bus from the Visitor Complex. Viewing from Space Shuttle Atlantis is included in admission. Purchase admission and launch viewing tickets online at www.kennedyspacecenter.com. See website for additional information, including the launch scrub policy.

After launch, guests can explore Kennedy Space Center on the bus tour, Space Shuttle Atlantis, the Rocket Garden and other attractions. At dusk, the Visitor Complex presents its all-new Holiday Rocket Garden Light Show featuring a choreographed light and music program.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. Annual passes start at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

Twitter: @ExploreSpaceKSC
facebook.com/KennedySpaceCenterVisitorComplex

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SOURCE Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex