What 17,500 mph Looks Like

[fln8tive]

Went outside last night on the suggestion of an MIT guy who gave us a tour yesterday at Kennedy Space Center...at 9:42 this bright light appeared out of the SE sky and streaked across...that was the space station. Pretty cool.

Impressions from KSC: The tourist facility is run by a company called Delaware North and they charge $2.00 to refill your lemonade. For that reason alone I would not go back. That place was built by the taxpayer, so maybe $2.00 for a refill is fitting...

That aside, it is a unique place. If visiting with kids, since the tickets allow a free return within 7 days, take them in the morning and then spend the afternoon at the beach--it was breezy yesterday, but during the summer it is a humid oven. They have one ride called "Launch Experience" or whatever...does not compare to the stuff at Disney or Universal, but the Saturn 1-B rocket on display is pretty cool. You cannot believe how massive it is.

You can no longer get into the VAB, and busses ferry you around to various points. Interesting, but I would still give the Smithsonian my vote.

The highlight of the day was the two MIT alums doing a headcount before the tour; both of them came up with a different number (we were about 22 peeps). The re-count came up different yet again, whereupon one MIT rocket engine guy looked at the MIT payload specialist guy, and said "22-23, close enough, right?"

[SuaveX5]

Originally Posted by fln8tive

The highlight of the day was the two MIT alums doing a headcount before the tour; both of them came up with a different number (we were about 22 peeps). The re-count came up different yet again, whereupon one MIT rocket engine guy looked at the MIT payload specialist guy, and said "22-23, close enough, right?"

[motordavid]

Good info for any future trip, and your usual
crack-my-azz-up style, FLN8! ...
BR,mD

Edit: ah, where are the pics, espc. of the SS zooming by?!

[JV]

Kool & the Gang, man! I actually saw more gators in the canals near Kennedy than I did in Everglades Nat'l Park.

[rayxi]

Good to know! I just booked the family's 2008 spring break Orlando trip last month so your timing is impeccable!

[fln8tive]

Originally Posted by motordavid

Edit: ah, where are the pics, espc. of the SS zooming by?!

Take a penlight to bed with you. Turn off the lights. Squint. Turn penlight on and arc it slowly across ceiling making sure to avoid light fixtures.

Take photo. Voila!

[fln8tive]

Originally Posted by rayxi

Good to know! I just booked the family's 2008 spring break Orlando trip last month so your timing is impeccable!

Don't get me wrong, it is very cool for the little ones, but break it up into two mornings, and cross over to Titusville, then back across to the Canaveral National Seashore and get beach time. From the beaches there you can see the launch pads at KSC as well. The Marriott in Cocoa is a safe, clean bet if you want to stay beachside.

If you want to return, then catch another morning at KSC and then zip back to Dizzy Whirl for the afternoon. I assume you are getting the Park Hopper Passes?

[rayxi]

Originally Posted by fln8tive

Don't get me wrong, it is very cool for the little ones, but break it up into two mornings, and cross over to Titusville, then back across to the Canaveral National Seashore and get beach time. From the beaches there you can see the launch pads at KSC as well. The Marriott in Cocoa is a safe, clean bet if you want to stay beachside.

If you want to return, then catch another morning at KSC and then zip back to Dizzy Whirl for the afternoon. I assume you are getting the Park Hopper Passes?

Forget the little ones, I'm the one that wants to go! We're travelling with my brother-in-law's family so he and I plan to ditch the kids if necessary to visit KSC. We just booked a 5 bedroom vacation house in Windsor Hills. Yes, we'll definately be getting the Park Hopper Passes.