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Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex MAVEN Launch

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Offers Best Public Viewing

of Historic MAVEN Launch on Nov. 18

4-Day Pre-Launch Celebration Includes Presentation by

Bill Nye the Science Guy^®

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex guests can enjoy viewing the thrilling and historic launch of a massive United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket carrying the Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvoultioN (MAVEN) orbiter on Monday, Nov. 18. The rocket will lift off from Launch Complex 41 at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station with a launch window from 1:28 p.m. to 3:28 p.m. EST.

Launch viewing is included in regular Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission and features live mission control commentary. Visitor Complex guests may view the launch from the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the closest possible public viewing area, or specially designated areas at the Visitor Complex. Guests may bring blankets and compact “umbrella-style” folding chairs that are carried in shoulder bags. Space will be available on a first come, first serve basis.

The MAVEN mission will explore the Red Planet’s upper atmosphere, ionosphere and interactions with the sun and solar wind. Scientists will use MAVEN data to determine the role that loss of vital compounds from the atmosphere to space has played through time. This data will provide insight into the history of Mars’ atmosphere and climate, and whether the planet was ever capable of supporting life. MAVEN is the first mission dedicated to measuring the upper atmosphere of the planet.

httpv://youtu.be/aVPgxNUNHGk

The Visitor Complex will celebrate the MAVEN launch with four days of special launch-related activities, including a presentation on Sunday, Nov. 17 by Bill Nye of the Emmy award-winning TV show, “Bill Nye the Science Guy^®.” Nye will speak to guests, preparing them for the launch of the MAVEN spacecraft. Nye is the chief executive officer of The Planetary Society, the world’s largest space interest group, as well as a scientist, former Boeing engineer, stand-up comedian, author, inventor and man on a mission: to help foster a scientifically literate society. He is the host of three currently running TV shows including “The 100 Greatest Discoveries” on the Science Channel, “The Eyes of Nye” on PBS and “Stuff Happens” on Planet Green.

From Thursday, Nov. 14 through Sunday, Nov. 17, Visitor Complex guests can discover a wide array of displays, exhibits and models themed around Humans 2 Mars including:

Learn about Humans 2 Mars by the 2030s; Mars past, present and future; recent scientific discoveries on Mars; and NASA’s Launch Services Program
Mark the 10^th anniversary of Mars exploration rovers Spirit and Opportunity
View Mars as Art and a 3D Mars landscapes complete with 3D glasses
Take the exploration challenge playing interactive games
Stand next to a 30-foot tall inflatable Space Launch System and a six-foot tall Atlas rocket model
Explore the future of human space exploration through displays on the Space Launch System, Orion capsule, Commercial Crew Program and a manned Mars mission

Guests also have the opportunity to hear firsthand from experts about the fascinating science behind MAVEN during daily presentations including:

Nov. 14, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m., Kelly Fast, MAVEN program scientist, NASA Headquarters
Nov. 15, 11 a.m., Sandra Cauffman, MAVEN deputy project manager, Goddard Space Flight Center and 4 p.m., Dave Lavery, program executive for Solar System Exploration, NASA Headquarters
Nov. 16, 11 a.m. and 4 p.m. Jim Green, NASA planetary science chief, NASA headquarters
Nov. 17, 11 a.m., Sandra Cauffman, MAVEN deputy manager, Goddard Space Flight Center and 2 p.m., Bill Nye the Science Guy

All presentations and special displays and exhibits are included in regular admission to the Visitor Complex.

Launch date and time are subject to change. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 877-313-2610 and visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the new Angry Birds^™ Space Encounter, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX^® space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration Space^®: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits. The new $100 million home for Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM opened June 29, 2013. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Annual Pass Program

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Unveils New 3-Tiered Annual Pass Program

New structure allows guests to customize their experience at the home of Space Shuttle Atlantis

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has begun offering a new three-tiered annual pass program that allows guests to customize their experience at the must-see Central Florida destination.

“This new annual pass structure offers expanded value and the ability for guests to select the level that best fits their needs and expectations,” said John Clifford, senior sales and marketing director of the Visitor Complex. “With the holidays approaching, it is a great time to purchase an annual pass to experience all there is to see and do at the Visitor Complex, including one-of-a-kind attractions such as the new Space Shuttle Atlantis and Angry Birds Space Encounter.”

The new tiered annual pass structure and benefits are as follows:

Tier 1: Discovery Pass, $75 plus tax for adults, $60 plus tax for children ages 3-11

· Unlimited admission for one year

· 10 percent off admission tickets for up to six guests per visit

· A Discovery Pass lanyard

· The Visitor Complex newsletter

Tier 2: Atlantis Pass, $89 plus tax for adults, $71 plus tax for children ages 3-11

· All Tier 1 Discovery Pass benefits

· Free parking

· 10 percent off souvenirs

· 10 percent off food and beverage

· 10 percent off Astronaut Training Experience^® and Camp KSC^®

· Exclusive special events and privileges

· An Atlantis Pass lanyard

Tier 3: Explorer VIP Pass, $139 plus tax adults and children

· All Tier 1 and Tier 2 Pass benefits

· One free KSC Up-close tour

· One free Lunch with an Astronaut

· A free collectible souvenir

· An Explorer Pass lanyard

Guests who have purchased the previous Commander’s Club annual pass within the last year will continue to receive those benefits through the expiration date of their pass.

Among the new Visitor Complex attractions and enhancements included in admission are:

Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM: Visitor Complex guests can see the priceless, historic Atlantis spacecraft as only astronauts have seen it before – rotated 43.21 degrees with payload bay doors open and its Canadarm (robotic arm) extended, as if it has just undocked from the International Space Station. But getting nose-to-nose with Atlantis is not all guests can do at this $100 million, 90,000-square-foot attraction. The immersive experience invites guests to “be the astronaut” with never-before-seen, technologically sophisticated multimedia presentations and more than 60 interactive, touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators that bring to life the people, passion and patriotism of the 30-year Space Shuttle Program.

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImSg-zwVhIA&feature=share&list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

Angry Birds^™Space Encounter: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has partnered with Rovio Entertainment, creator of the globally successful Angry Birds^™ franchise, to bring the popular game and characters to life. The 4,485-square-foot Angry Birds Space Encounter is the first comprehensive, interactive Angry Birds attraction in the United States designed for people of all ages and features such immersive activities as Eggsteroids Slingshot, Cold Cuts Tile Puzzle, Danger Zone, and Red Planet Lazer Challenge.

New entry and fountain honoring President Kennedy:The new entry includes a grand plaza and fountain; ticket stations and self-service kiosks; will call, guest services and information stations; a retail shop; and a restaurant. Guests are greeted by a first-ever 3D representation of the NASA insignia and a majestic 75-foot-long, 5000-gallon fountain that pays homage to the dreams of late President John F. Kennedy, for whom NASA’s Kennedy Space Center is named. Kennedy’s face, along with a quote from his famous 1962 “moon speech” at Rice University, are laser etched onto a skyward-reaching arch of blue granite.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex attractions and activities also include Shuttle Launch Experience, an incredible simulated journey of vertically launching into space and orbiting Earth aboard the space shuttle; Astronaut Training Experience^®(ATX^®); Rocket Garden; two IMAX^®theaters; Astronaut Encounter;Lunch With an Astronaut; U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®; and Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted.

Located only 45 minutes from Orlando, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex features many attractions and year-round interactive programs, including meeting real astronauts.

For more information on Kennedy Space Center Complex, please visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the new Angry Birds^™ Space Encounter, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX^®space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits. The new $100 million home for Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM opened June 29, 2013. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m.with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75+ tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.

NASA Time Capsule at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

NASA Time Capsule Ceremony in Space Shuttle Atlantis at

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

We were extremely luck to attend a ceremony marking the placement of a NASA time capsule inside a wall of Space Shuttle Atlantis will be held at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. The capsule, which is filled with a huge assortment of items related to the 30-year Space Shuttle Program, is scheduled to be opened by space enthusiasts in the year 2061.

At the ceremony we got to hear from the Kennedy Space Center Director of the Education and External Relations Directorate Cheryl Hurst and Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana about their person experiences and hopes for the future of exploration.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex — Kennedy Space Center Director Robert Cabana

And Space Exploration Ambassador Patrick Sullivan was inspiring! I wish that I could have been such an great speaker at his age!

The Space Shuttle Program Time Capsule was created to help explain to people in 2061 the significance of the shuttle program by including items that tell the compelling story of what it meant to work at Kennedy Space Center during that 30-year period. All of the time capsule items were showcased at a “We Made History” event in August 2011 and include:

A “Mission Accomplished” bear from the final shuttle mission, STS-135 (Atlantis). A bear was created for each shuttle mission.
A mission patch for every shuttle mission.
A Kennedy Space Center director’s coin. A coin is created for each center director that highlights personal career achievements.

At the “We Made History” event, attendees also nominated individuals to become ambassadors for the time capsule. Those Space Exploration Ambassadors number 426 and are to be present when the time capsule is opened in 2061. One of the ambassadors, Patrick Sullivan, will speak at the time capsule ceremony about both the shuttle program and the future of space exploration.

After the ceremony we took the opportunity to look around the breathtaking Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit, which was full of interesting facts and exhibits!

httpv://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ImSg-zwVhIA&feature=share&list=UUxhza5Nkv4ukqKmIFLE9dgA

We’ll be sharing more of our pictures from our visit to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex on our Facebook Page!

About Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S. space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities, including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Saturn V Center with an actual Saturn V moon rocket, the new Angry Birds^™ Space Encounter, Shuttle Launch Experience, 3D IMAX^® space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits. The new $100 million home for Space Shuttle Atlantis^SM opened June 29, 2013. Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame^®, featuring historic spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia, which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Commander’s Club Annual Pass is $63 + tax for adults and $53 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.