Half-Day Program Features Private Tour, ‘Flight’ On Shuttle Launch Experience, Lunch With A Veteran NASA Astronaut

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is offering a special, limited-time, limited-capacity program called “Fly With An Astronaut” in which guests can spend a thrilling half day experiencing the highlights of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, including a ‘flight’ on Shuttle Launch Experience, with a veteran NASA space shuttle astronaut.

Limited to just 43 guests per day Friday, Sept. 4 through Monday, Sept. 7, the program includes admission to the visitor complex as well as a morning of tours and activities guided by an astronaut.
 
The astronaut guide for Fly With An Astronaut Sept. 4-7 will be Jon McBride, who was selected by NASA in the first class of space shuttle astronauts. On Oct. 5, 1984, McBride launched with STS 41-G Challenger, a member of the first crew of seven, for an eight-day mission. While in orbit, the crew deployed the Earth Radiation Budget Satellite and performed scientific observations with the OSTA-3 pallet and Large Format Camera. During their mission, McBride also filmed about half of the IMAX movie “The Dream Is Alive” which aired at the visitor complex for many years.
 
The Fly With An Astronaut experience includes a catered buffet lunch at the Apollo/Saturn V Center; a panoramic photo stop at the Launch Complex (LC) 39 Observation Gantry, which is otherwise not accessible to guests; an autographed photo of the guest with the astronaut hero; and a retail gift.
 
Fly With An Astronaut participants will meet at Nature and Technology at 9:15 a.m. for a “preflight” briefing and individual photo with McBride. The newly recruited “crew members” will then enter Shuttle Launch Experience to find out what it feels like to launch into space aboard a shuttle traveling 17,500 mph – with a veteran NASA astronaut at their side.
 
Participants will then board a bus with the astronaut for a private tour of Kennedy Space Center (KSC), including a drive past the Vehicle Assembly Building and a stop at the LC-39 Observation Gantry. Here, McBride will share stories of his experiences in space as guests take advantage of panoramic photo opportunities of KSC and Cape Canaveral Air Force Station in the distance.
 
The next stop is the Apollo/Saturn V Center, where participants will enjoy a guided tour with McBride, followed by a catered buffet lunch. During lunch, guests will receive a printed photo of themselves with their astronaut guide and have an opportunity for him to autograph it. At the end of the tour, at approximately 1:30 p.m., guests will receive a parting gift and will be free to continue touring the Apollo/Saturn V Center or board a bus back to the visitor complex.
 
The limited-time, limited-capacity program is $199 for adults; $174 for children (ages 3-11). Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex annual pass holders may purchase the program for $149 per adult or $134 per child (ages 3-11).

(NASA image)

FMI: www.KennedySpaceCenter.com