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Associated Press
13 hours ago
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- Associated Press
Summer 2025 Special Events and Deals at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
A Season of Authentic Experiences, Historic Celebrations, and Bundled Savings at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex CAPE CANAVERAL, NJ, UNITED STATES, June 2, 2025 / / -- This summer, guests are invited to Discover Something Real at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, where the original stories, legendary artifacts, and immersive experiences offer an authentic journey into the past, present, and future of space exploration. From June through August, visitors will experience a season of stellar savings, exciting events, and extraordinary encounters – all while exploring the original universe. Bundle and Save From June 2 through August 17, guests can enjoy a delicious deal, receiving $10 off regular, one-day adult or child admission with the purchase of a $20 meal voucher, redeemable at Orbit Cafe and Moonrock Cafe. Available for pre-purchase through the Call Center and online from June 2 through August 17, 2025, all tickets must be redeemed on or before Sunday, December 14, 2025. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit A Summer of Real Space Adventures Throughout the summer, a robust lineup of themed events will bring space to life in exciting and engaging ways: • Astronaut Week: June 9–15 Where else on Earth is there the chance to meet a real astronaut every day? During Astronaut Week at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, visitors will have a blast with all things astronauts, including the chance to win prizes during Astronaut Trivia and Astronaut Bingo and hands-on kids' activities under Space Shuttle Atlantis. The daily Astronaut Encounter engages participants with captivating tales shared directly by the inspirational space explorers who have journeyed beyond our atmosphere. And last but not least, guests can capture the moment with selfies and autographs. All Astronaut Week events are included with Admission. For more information, visit • July Fourth Weekend Activities: July 4–7 Celebrate Independence Day with classic games like mini golf, cornhole, and giant Four-in-a- Row at the Atlantis Pavilion. • Moon Fest/Vintage Chic Days: July 18–20 Celebrate the 56th anniversary of the Apollo 11 Moon landing in retro style! Apollo 11 launched on July 16, 1969, then landed on July 20 on the moon and splashed down on July 24. During the weekend of July 18 – 20 guests can celebrate Apollo 11 in their finest vintage threads during Moon Fest 2025. Whether a seasoned space enthusiast or a curious explorer, Moon Fest 2025 promises an unforgettable experience for all ages. Weekend activities will include: o Performances by The Vocalists, a period acapella group, and Astro and Orbit, a space comedy duo o 'Apollo to Artemis' presentations from a Visitor Complex expert o An Apollo 11 short film o Photo ops with the lunar rover at Apollo/Saturn V Center o Crafts for kids, such as creating tin foil hats and splashdown capsules For additional information, visit • Discovery Day: July 26 Commemorate the 20th anniversary of the STS-114 mission, the shuttle program's triumphant return to space. o Hear firsthand accounts from astronauts, Mike Mullane, Bruce Melnick, William 'Bill' Shepherd and Tony Antonelli, who flew aboard Space Shuttle Discovery (location TBD) o Explore Atlantis and learn about the Shuttle Program • Aviation Weekend: August 1–3 Soar into the world of aeronautics beneath one of the most famous gliders in history, Space Shuttle Atlantis®, during Aviation Weekend. Visitors will have the chance to meet with engineers, designers, and pilots, color their own NASA aircraft, and stop by a special photo booth to get their own pilot picture. In addition, a special showing of 'Blue Angels 3D' will air in the IMAX® theater daily from August 1-8. (Check the daily schedule for show times.) Also not to be missed: Tales from the Flight Deck, during which astronauts and pilots join a special panel discussion to talk about their careers in the aviation industry. Guests will be able to ask questions and panel participants will be available for photo ops post-event. The weekend will also feature a solar-powered DJ block party outside Space Shuttle Atlantis with games and music from noon to 4 p.m. daily. For more information, visit • Kennedy Under the Stars: August 30, 6:30–10 p.m. Kennedy Under the Stars, a celestial after-hours experience at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, returns on August 30, 2025. For a perfect end to Summer, the visitor complex is turning back the clock 25 years for some Y2K nostalgia. Participants can look forward to: o Video DJ in the Rocket Garden, featuring the best early 2000s music videos o Techno DJ dance party that will light up NASA Central o Cosmic Glow Miniature Golf beneath the massive Saturn 1B rocket o Multisensory science experiments with the innovative STEAM Team o Glowing bar and lounge areas o The chance to mingle with veteran NASA astronauts o Live entertainment throughout the night Guests can also join the Ortega Observatory of Florida Tech for a journey through the cosmos, using state-of-the-art telescopes, to witness breathtaking views of celestial wonders while hearing fascinating insights. This immersive stargazing experience brings the universe closer, sparking curiosity and wonder for all ages. In addition, several visitor complex top attractions will remain open, providing extra time to explore without daytime crowds. Tickets, which will go on sale June 5, are $65 plus tax for all ages. To purchase tickets and learn more information, visit About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Go beyond imagination and into something real at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Get up-close to real flight flown artifacts, meet a veteran NASA astronaut, feel the rumble of a rocket launch and so much more. Just 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. The popular, two-day ticket, which can be used for up to six months from purchase and averages a cost of less than $45 per day, is now available for $89 per adult and $79 per child. Single-day admission is $75 per adult, $65 per child. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit Liz Feldman KO Public Afffairs +1 443-683-0917 [email protected] Visit us on social media: LinkedIn Instagram Facebook YouTube X Other Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Two NASA astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame, one preparing for Axiom launch
Two veteran astronauts were inducted May 31 into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame — and one of them had to miss the induction ceremony as she's preparing to launch on yet another mission. Organized by the Astronaut Scholarship Foundation, the annual ceremony was held under Space Shuttle Atlantis at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The new inductees are Bernard Harris and Peggy Whitson, bringing the total number of astronauts in the Hall of Fame to 111. Harris flew on two space shuttle missions. He served as mission specialist on STS-55 and as payload commander on STS-63, accumulating 438 hours in space. During his second mission in 1995, Harris became the first African American to perform a spacewalk. Harris was 13 years old when inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969. While astronauts at that time were traditionally white test pilots, it did not stop Harris from dreaming. "I had that black-and-white television that I talked about - I could turn one channel and see some of the greatest accomplishments of human beings at that time, and then turn the channel and see Blacks fighting for their right to vote, or to exist depending depending on what part of the country they were in," Harris told FLORIDA TODAY. "I decided if I didn't see someone like me, I'd be the first." It would be nearly another decade before African Americans and even women became astronauts. As for being the first African American to perform a spacewalk, Harris told FLORIDA TODAY that while he had already become an astronaut, being the first in this regard was not even on his mind. "As a mission specialist, an aspiration for me was to do a spacewalk," said Harris. Going into his second mission, he did not even have a spacewalk assigned until into the mission. Harris was thrilled to not only perform a spacewalk, but helping to set the foundations for the ISS. "In truth, I didn't know I was the first African American until I got back inside and I got the call from President Clinton," said Harris. "The EVA (spacewalk) didn't scare me as much as 'now I got to talk to the president'," said Harris. Being an astronaut is not the only thing on Harris' list of accomplishments. He's also served as a research scientist and flight surgeon. According to the Visitor Complex's website, Harris conducted research on how the human body adapts to space, leading to the development of in-flight medical devices which assist astronauts with lengthy trips to space. Harris also founded the Harris Foundation, which works to ensure students from all backgrounds receive quality education. He also is involved in numerous education initiatives. As for Whitson, Harris had positive words for her. "I'm really honored to be inducted with her. She is a remarkable person," Harris told the crowd at the Visitor Complex. Whitson had to miss Saturday's ceremony as she's currently in pre-mission quarantine with her three other crewmates. She's preparing to fly to space for the seventh time. However, a prerecorded video was presented during her recognition, during which Whitson spoke of growing up on a farm in rural Iowa and being inspired by the moon landing. "Since there were no female astronauts at the time at the lunar landing, I focused my efforts on making enough money for flying lessons," said Whitson. After graduating with her Ph.D. in Biochemistry, and the space shuttle flying astronauts of all backgrounds, Whitson applied to become a NASA astronaut. It took Whitson four times of applying before she was finally selected in 1996 - yet the wait paid off as she went on to shatter records with NASA and now Axiom Space. Already, Whitson holds the record for the most time accumulated in space by an American astronaut — 675 days. On June 8, she is set to command the Axiom Mission 4 to the International Space Station. Whitson will lift off in a SpaceX Crew Dragon atop a Falcon 9 rocket. Axiom Space is a private company which has sent three previous multinational missions to the ISS. The company is working to build the space station which will replace NASA's ISS when it retires no earlier than 2030. Whitson's previous missions include STS-111, Expedition 5, STS-113, Expedition 16, Expedition 50/51/52, and Axiom Mission 2 in 2023. Whitson joined Axiom Space after retiring from NASA in 2018. According to the Visitor Complex's website, Whitson has served as NASA's Chief of the Astronaut Office, twice as Commander of the ISS, Chair of NASA's Astronaut Selection Board, NASA Operations Branch Chief, NASA Deputy Division Chief for both Medical Sciences and the Astronaut Office, and co-chair of the US/Russian Mission Science Working Group. When is the next Florida launch? Is there a launch today? Upcoming SpaceX, Axiom, ULA rocket launch schedule at Cape Canaveral To get named to the Astronaut Hall of Fame, here are the basic requirements the candidates must meet: Their first flight was at least 15 years before the induction. The last day eligible for a NASA flight assignment was at least five years before the candidate's nomination. Candidate must be a U.S. citizen. The candidate must have served as a NASA-trained space shuttle commander, pilot, mission specialist, International Space Station commander, or flight engineer. The candidate must have orbited Earth at least once. Brooke Edwards is a Space Reporter for Florida Today. Contact her at bedwards@ or on X: @brookeofstars. This article originally appeared on Florida Today: Two astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Steven D. Hornung, PHD Steve passed from this world April
May 31—Steven D. Hornung, PHD Steve passed from this world April 24, 2025 shortly after he turned 70. He was preceded in death by his beloved daughter Danae just 15 months earlier. Steve was instrumental in keeping astronauts safe while he worked with NASA during his 35 years being a 'rocket scientist'. He lived life fully and planned to sail away someday. And so he did. He will be missed and well remembered.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
When 8 Days Became 9 Months, Stranded NASA Astronauts Wondered If They'd Ever ‘Make it Back' to Earth
NASA astronauts Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore were unexpectedly stuck in space from June 2024 to March 2025 Both astronauts considered the possibility that they may not return home to Earth, but they didn't verbalize the thought because of their astronaut training "If we weren't able to dock, would we be able to make it back? We didn't know," Wilmore said in a new BBC interviewStuck in space for months, Suni Williams and Butch Wilmore weren't sure if they would ever return home. Last June, the NASA astronauts' eight-day test flight took an unexpected turn, leaving them stranded in space for nine months. During that time, the pair had to consider a future in which they would never see their families again — a possibility that they both found themselves contemplating. Never coming home 'definitely went through our minds,' Wilmore, 62, told the BBC two months after they returned to Earth on March 18. It was a particularly worrisome thought, Wilmore said, before the duo docked safely at the International Space Station — which is where they spent nearly all of their time in space. "Docking,' the father of two told the BBC, 'was imperative. If we weren't able to dock, would we be able to make it back? We didn't know.' Both Wilmore and Williams, 59, told the British outlet that, despite thinking the worst, they did not state their worries out loud thanks to their training, which tells them to prioritize finding solutions. 'You sort of read each other's mind and know where we're going with all the failures,' Williams told the BBC. 'These were not expected.' But, she continued, 'at the same time, you know, we're like, what do we have? What can we do?' Through it all, however, the pair 'knew nobody was going to just let us down,' Williams told the BBC. The astronauts, she added, 'knew everybody had our back and was looking out for us.' Shortly after completing their long-awaited journey from the ISS to Earth, the astronauts recounted their time in space. Wilmore revealed that prior to takeoff, he had prepared his daughters, Daryn and Logan, for the possibility that he would be in space for longer than the intended eight days. "Did I think about not being there for my daughter's high school year? Of course," he told Fox News' America's Newsroom in March. 'We've trained them to be resilient — my daughters, my family, we talk about these things. We talk about the fact that there's no given, this is a test flight. We don't know what's going to happen. We might not be back in eight days or whatever the plan was.' But Wilmore did not let the 'personal side of it' — as he phrased it — 'interfere with what I'm called to do at the moment.' After their spacecraft, a Boeing Starliner, ran into mechanical issues following the June 2024 launch, Williams and Wilmore's return was delayed and, after weeks of troubleshooting, the spacecraft was sent back without them. Last December, NASA stated that it planned to bring the astronauts back to Earth 'no earlier than late March," which the agency later followed through on. Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human-interest stories. While stuck in space, the astronauts celebrated Thanksgiving and Christmas, voted in the 2024 U.S. election and spoke with the media. During a press conference from space in early March, Williams even described her time at the ISS as 'fun.' 'Every day is interesting because we're up in space and it's a lot of fun,' she said at the time. "The hardest part is having the folks on the ground have to not know exactly when we're coming back.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
2 trailblazing NASA astronauts inducted into U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame
The Brief Two NASA legends were honored for record-setting space careers. Dr. Bernard Harris made history with a spacewalk; Dr. Peggy Whitson holds the women's record for time in space. Their legacies inspire the next generation of explorers. CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla. - Two pioneering NASA astronauts — Dr. Bernard Harris and Dr. Peggy Whitson — are the newest members of the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame. What we know Dr. Bernard Harris and Dr. Peggy Whitson were officially inducted into the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame on Saturday at the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Harris is recognized as the first Black NASA astronaut to perform a spacewalk, while Whitson holds the record for the most cumulative days in space by any woman — 665 in total — along with more than 60 hours of spacewalking experience. The backstory Dr. Harris became an astronaut in 1991 and was inspired by the Apollo 11 moon landing in 1969, which he watched as a child. Dr. Whitson, a biochemist by training, completed three long-term missions aboard the International Space Station and has played a pivotal role in advancing life sciences in microgravity environments. Both astronauts broke barriers in their respective careers, helping pave the way for broader representation and expanded research in human spaceflight. What they're saying The induction of Harris and Whitson highlights the growing diversity and resilience of NASA's astronaut corps. Their achievements symbolize historical milestones. "I've been fascinated with science and science fiction since I was a kid," said Dr. Harris. "When I was 13 years old in 1969... I saw Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin land on the moon, and I was hooked." "The thing that has been most important for me was actually challenging myself to do something I wasn't sure I would be successful at," said Dr. Whitson. "It showed me I was actually even more capable than I ever imagined." Whitson also encouraged others to grow through discomfort. "Live a little bit outside your comfort zone and challenge yourself." STAY CONNECTED WITH FOX 35 ORLANDO: Download the FOX Local app for breaking news alerts, the latest news headlines Download the FOX 35 Storm Team Weather app for weather alerts & radar Sign up for FOX 35's daily newsletter for the latest morning headlines FOX Local:Stream FOX 35 newscasts, FOX 35 News+, Central Florida Eats on your smart TV The Source This story was written based on information shared by NASA and the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
