We went by coach to the Kennedy Space Centre and were lucky enough to have a tour guide who has worked at the space centre for 8 years. Her father had also worked there so she was very informative and very interesting.
I went on the tour with only half interest as I did not think it would be of great interest to me but felt I should go seeing we were so close. We were all blown away with the centre. It was so well organised and displayed it was like being at one of the Disneyland theme parks but offering information and education on a really interesting level.
It is hard to believe how large the place is and how massive the shuttles are. They have a 3d IMAX theatre showing the space program from starts to current. I really felt like I had been to space. There were loads of other displays as well, including Atlantis, the latest space shuttle to return from space. It has been transporting equipment and goods to the international orbiting space station. It is massive, so how these things ever leave earth is a amazing. The space programme began in the early 1960,s and all calculations had to be done manually as this was prior to computers. As they pointed out they put man on the moon before they put wheels on suitcases.
James Reilly, an astronaut spoke to us during our lunch and he was very interesting. He has been in space 3 times and told stories and showed film and photos of his experiences.
The NASA Centre is only 1 storey high but the same height as a 35 storey building. We could see it from our ship and we were 30 miles away. We didn't go inside this building for security reasons. The space shuttles are assembled ready for launching in this building hence need the height and space.
The space ships are launched towards the sea for security reasons and staff need to be 3 miles away from the launch pad for their safety. The NASA site is hundreds of acres in size and is secured by 4 bridges which can be raised to ensure security if required. The only occassion in recent times that this has happened is 9/11.
Everyone on the tour thoroughly enjoyed the Kennedy Space Centre tour and we would happily recommend it to anyone who is in the vicinity.
Tomorrow we are off to have a horse and carriage ride in Charleston. This is Rhett Butler country from Gone with the Wind and renowned for old world charm. Looking forward to it.
Pam
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