Latest news with #TherrinProtze
Yahoo
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
New attraction offers immersive, historic experience at Kennedy Space Center
There's now a new way to experience space history at the Kennedy Space Center. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has unveiled 'The Gantry at LC-39,' a new immersive attraction. Located within the Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, The Gantry at LC-39 combines interactive exhibits with stunning views, highlighting the intersection of human achievement and natural beauty. Photos: New attraction offers immersive, historic experience at Kennedy Space Center 'The Gantry at LC-39 marks a bold step forward in our mission to spark curiosity and foster learning among the next generation of explorers,' said Therrin Protze, Chief Operating Officer at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The attraction features several key experiences designed to engage visitors with the history and future of space exploration. The Earth Information Center (EIC) offers a dynamic data hub with an immersive theater show, hyperwall display, and interactive exhibit gallery, providing insights into planetary changes affecting life on Earth. Visitors can also enjoy the Rocket Build Interactive, where they can design and virtually launch rockets, experiencing the thrill of space flight from a launch site with views of Kennedy Space Center's working space ports. A launch viewing area allows guests to watch real rocket launches, enhanced by a large LED screen looping media content. Interactive exhibits provide educational activities, including gamified experiences exploring various launch complexes using binoculars and informational graphics. The Test Fire Simulation offers a visceral thrill, allowing guests to stand under a full-scale rocket engine during a simulated static fire test, complete with sound, light, and cooling mist. The shaded courtyard features climbable animal sculptures and interpretive graphics, telling the story of Kennedy Space Center's location. An artifact from a retired Mobile Launch Platform connects guests to the historic launch pads nearby. An outdoor dining area provides a space for guests to relax and enjoy self-service dining adjacent to the Crawlerway, featuring a Crawler-Transporter tread artifact. Click here to download our free news, weather and smart TV apps. And click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Kennedy Space Center opens The Gantry at LC-39 attractions
There's a new stop along the popular tour at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and it presents views that showcase Florida's nature and modern technology. The Gantry at LC-39 is now available to the public at the Brevard County attraction, part of its Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour. The area includes a four-story structure topped by an interactive rocket design experience and showcases a test-fire simulation to folks on the ground. It's designed to present fun, hands-on activities alongside education, said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the visitor complex. 'We're learning about the dwell time and what captures kids,' he said. One attention-grabber is the rocket seen in The Gantry and a big-screen countdown steered by Sol, referred to as artificial intelligence. Once we get hit 3-2-1-zero, the unit swings and lets off steam upon observers below. It's meant to be a fiery simulation, but fear not, it's certainly more foggy than fearfully hot. Those engine components are real pieces from an Apollo-era J-2 rocket engine. On the top level (accessed by stairways or elevator) is an enclosed, air-conditioned area that focuses on engineering aspects and the hands-on building of virtual space vehicles. 'You get to build a rocket, and you get to learn what it takes for different types of missions, which engines to pick, how much fuel to pick and the payload capacity you need in order to make that launch successful,' Protze said. A dozen designing people face monitors at a time in this activity, but also intriguing are the stools there. They're pistons from one of NASA's famed Crawler-Transporters. The stands to watch launches at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center guests check out the Gantry at LC-39, a new experience that includes a test-fire simulation. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A J-2 engine with real components from an Apollo era J-2 rocket engine at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) The Earth Information Center is seen during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience for visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center guests check out the Gantry at LC-39, a new experience that includes a test-fire simulation. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A short film in the Earth Information Center at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Mounted binoculars provide views of the launch pads during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, on Thursday. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Mobile Launcher 2 under construction, seen from The Gantry at LC-39 during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A seen during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Kennedy Space Center Visitor Center guests check out the Gantry at LC-39, a new experience that includes a test-fire simulation. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Media tour The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience for visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A J-2 engine, whose top has real components from an Apollo-era J-2 rocket engine. Media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A simulated J-2 engine test at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) The stands to watch launches at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Stools made from pistons taken from one of NASA's Crawler-Transporters at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Sign for the Earth Information Center during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) The Vehicle Assembly Building seen from The Gantry at LC-39 during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) A short film in the Earth Information Center during a media tour of The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience to visitors of the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel) Show Caption1 of 20A rocket builder activity at The Gantry at LC-39, a new guest experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, on Thursday, July 10, 2025. (Ricardo Ramirez Buxeda/Orlando Sentinel)Expand On the in-between levels are open-air views of historic launch pads. In some cases, there are binoculars to look at nature (wild pigs and vultures) as well as Launch Complex 39 – Pad B, from where the Hubble Space Telescope was sent up, and the Cape Canaveral Space Force Station. The bleacher area was also expanded for watching real-life launches from pads 40 and 41, which are about 2.7 miles away from The Gantry at LC-39. On the ground level are shaded play areas inspired by Florida wildlife, such as alligators and sea turtles. Nearby is the Earth Information Center with a four-minute film and electronic displays, including the Science on a Sphere, a floating globe that reveals data on topics such as ocean temperatures, aerosols in the air and fires, as seen from space. The Gantry, where many space shuttle launches were witnessed, was once a stop on an extra-ticket VIP tour only. Now it's part of the standard tour included with regular admission to the visitor center. Guests may linger as long as they desire in The Gantry area, then catch another bus headed for the Apollo/Saturn V Center. There's plenty to read and absorb, including a tale about an alligator getting into the Vehicle Assembly Building (thanks, automatic doors) and the fact that NASA tests engines at the Stennis Space Center in south Mississippi before sending them to KSC. 'The best thing to do is explore,' Protze said. 'That's what Kennedy is all about. That's what space exploration is all about.' Email me at dbevil@ BlueSky: @themeparksdb. Threads account: @dbevil. X account: @themeparks. Subscribe to the Theme Park Rangers newsletter at
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Science
- Yahoo
Sneak Peek: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to open new stop, The Gantry at LC-39
A new stop on the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex bus tour is about to open -- one which gets the public closer to the launch pad than ever before. Situated just a mere mile from NASA's Kennedy Space Center Launch Complex 39A, The Gantry at LC-39 is the latest attraction to drop at the Visitor Complex. Part of the bus tour, which is included with admission, guests will be treated to a view of the launch pad looming in the distance as they approach the new stop. Visitors can choose to stay on the bus to proceed to the Apollo Saturn V Center or they can exit at the new stop, which also offers an immersive rocket experience. "You get to learn about engineering. You get to build a rocket. You get to learn what it takes for different types of missions − which engines to pick, how much fuel to pick, and payload capacity you need in order to make that launch successful," said Chief Operating Officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, Therrin Protze. Those who chose to exit the bus will be greeted by a four-story structure, which features a huge rocket engine that "ignites" as guest stand underneath to feel the rumble. Not to worry: it simply lights up and sprays steam at a refreshing 62 degrees. Guests can climb the stairs of the gantry and take in informational features, as well as views of the sounding launch pads. Binoculars are available to provide a closer look of Launch Complex 39A, which saw astronauts launch on a journey to the moon and continues to see astronauts take off to this day. Of course, the rising SpaceX Starship tower is also visible. Starship is anticipated to launch − and return to − the site in the coming years. As guests climb to the top floor, they are greeted by an air-conditioned room which houses an interactive exhibit. This includes a game where guests can engineer their own rocket − right down to the rocket paint color of their choosing. Once choices are made, the rocket launches on the screen above them, and the success stats of the mission are provided. The experience is guided by the friendly voice of an artificial intelligence system named Sol. There is a cool hidden history aspect. The seats in this interactive room are made from the pistons of a launch crawler's engines -- the actual launch crawler that carried NASA rockets to the launch pad. When is the next launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, NASA, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral Off to the side is a brand new launch viewing area with bleachers and a large screen. Guests will be able to pay for viewings of launches from Launch Complex 40 and 41. Details of the pricing are unknown at this time. Due to the close proximity to Launch Complex 39A, the attraction will not be available during launches from there. There is also a nearby Earth Information Center, which offers guests a short film on NASA Earth Science. Currently, the bus stop is in preview mode, but is set to open to the public shortly. A grand opening date has not yet been announced. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Early Look: KSC Visitor Complex's new bus tour stop, The Gantry at LC-39
