| Log In | Sign In

Travel Blog » North America » United States » Florida » Cape Canaveral » Blogs » The Kennedy Space Center - Pt 1, Overvie

The Kennedy Space Center - Pt 1, Overview

 « Previous Entry
Next Entry »
 

Advertisement
United States' flag
North America » United States » Florida » Cape Canaveral
June 24th 2015
Published: June 24th 2015
Edit Blog Post
location and arrivinglocation and arrivinglocation and arriving
There are many places to visit in the United States, but to my mind two stand out above all others. They are Grand Canyon, and the Kennedy Space Center, which will be referred to hereafter as the “KSC”. The first is awe-inspiring for its natural beauty and grandeur: the second for the unparalleled achievements that it encompasses.

Who would have imagined a scant century ago that today Mankind would be flying everywhere, at unimaginable speeds? Maybe Jules Verne, but very few others. Nobody would have believed even 60 years ago that men would actually walk on the Moon, and that a man-made “Space Station” would orbit our planet continuously 200 miles above us, providing opportunities for research and development not available down here on Earth. These are the two most significant things that the KSC celebrates, and makes available for all to see and appreciate. In the words of President Kennedy “The eyes of the world now look into space, to the Moon and to the planets beyond, that we have vowed we shall not see crowned by a hostile flag of conquest, but by a banner of freedom and peace.”

About halfway between Jacksonville and Miami on Merritt
It's about half-way down the Atlantic coast.It's about half-way down the Atlantic coast.It's about half-way down the Atlantic coast.
Island a few miles north of Cape Canaveral, the Kennedy Space Center is the one place no visitor to Florida should miss. It occupies a huge tract of land some 34 miles (55 km) long by 6 miles (10 km) wide and its 2.9 miles (4.6 km) Shuttle Landing Facility (runway) is one of the world’s longest, since returning space shuttles are powerless gliders with no chance for a second “go around” when landing. This article gives a brief introduction to the KSC, and it will be followed by two more, about the Apollo Project and the Space Shuttles. I really hope you get the opportunity to go, as Margo and I did in 2014. Here is another introductory source of information about the KSC and what you’ll experience there: https://www.kennedyspacecenter.com/the-experiece.aspx

« Previous Entry Next Entry »

Additional photos below
Photos: 26, Displayed: 23


Advertisement
Comment Message
Fred Perry
ferby
ferby
Hi, everyone. I am a retired Canadian senior, living in Ottawa. My dear wife Margo and I used to love to travel just about everywhere, especially as “snowbirds” in the winter. Although we can no longer travel for medical reasons, I've been travelling and taking photos for many years, so I still want to share some tales and photos from our vast collection. with you. Cheers, Eh? ... full info
JoinedJuly 29th 2014Trips0
Last LoginSeptember 17th 2021Followers1
StatusBLOGGERFollows1
Blogs102Guestbook616
Photos3,342Forum Posts1
[blog=888432][blogger=296766]
Blog Options
Top PhotosBlog Map

Print Version
[blog=888432][blogger=296766]

Advertisement

It occupies 219 sq. mi (570 km²) on Merritt Island, with a 2.6 mile landing runway for powerless space shuttles.It occupies 219 sq. mi (570 km²) on Merritt Island, with a 2.6 mile landing runway for powerless space shuttles.
It occupies 219 sq. mi (570 km²) on Merritt Island, with a 2.6 mile landing runway for powerless space shuttles.
It's several miles north of Cape Canaveral, which is really the home port for Disney Cruises.It's several miles north of Cape Canaveral, which is really the home port for Disney Cruises.
It's several miles north of Cape Canaveral, which is really the home port for Disney Cruises.
Roadside inlets on Merritt Island approaching the KSC entrance sometimes have alligators sunning on the grass.Roadside inlets on Merritt Island approaching the KSC entrance sometimes have alligators sunning on the grass.
Roadside inlets on Merritt Island approaching the KSC entrance sometimes have alligators sunning on the grass.
Waterfowl, such as this egret, abound along the roadside.Waterfowl, such as this egret, abound along the roadside.
Waterfowl, such as this egret, abound along the roadside.
The Atlantis display building,seen from the highway, is the departure point for buses touring the grounds.The Atlantis display building,seen from the highway, is the departure point for buses touring the grounds.
The Atlantis display building,seen from the highway, is the departure point for buses touring the grounds.
The KSC’s contents belong to NASA, but since 1995 it is a tourist attraction managed by the Delaware North company.The KSC’s contents belong to NASA, but since 1995 it is a tourist attraction managed by the Delaware North company.
The KSC’s contents belong to NASA, but since 1995 it is a tourist attraction managed by the Delaware North company.
Kennedy's inspirational message is the first thing you see inside the entrance.Kennedy's inspirational message is the first thing you see inside the entrance.
Kennedy's inspirational message is the first thing you see inside the entrance.
The ''rocket garden'' is a whimsical display for kids, like a garden where missiles grow.The ''rocket garden'' is a whimsical display for kids, like a garden where missiles grow.
The ''rocket garden'' is a whimsical display for kids, like a garden where missiles grow.
Note the flags of all the nations that have contributed to building and maintaining the International Space Station (ISS).Note the flags of all the nations that have contributed to building and maintaining the International Space Station (ISS).
Note the flags of all the nations that have contributed to building and maintaining the International Space Station (ISS).
Info plaques are located at appropriate points throughout the grounds.Info plaques are located at appropriate points throughout the grounds.
Info plaques are located at appropriate points throughout the grounds.

There are several tours available, taking from 1 to 3+ hours, at your choice.
The momentous choice seemed unrealistic to many. Little did the doubters know!The momentous choice seemed unrealistic to many. Little did the doubters know!
The momentous choice seemed unrealistic to many. Little did the doubters know!
This building houses the space shuttle Atlantis, which made the first and the last American trips to the ISS.This building houses the space shuttle Atlantis, which made the first and the last American trips to the ISS.
This building houses the space shuttle Atlantis, which made the first and the last American trips to the ISS.
To enter the Display Center you walk below the fuel tank of one of the enormous rockets used to launch the shuttles.To enter the Display Center you walk below the fuel tank of one of the enormous rockets used to launch the shuttles.
To enter the Display Center you walk below the fuel tank of one of the enormous rockets used to launch the shuttles.
'biography' of space shuttle Atlantis'biography' of space shuttle Atlantis
'biography' of space shuttle Atlantis
touring the grounds by air-conditioned bus along miles of perfect pavementtouring the grounds by air-conditioned bus along miles of perfect pavement
touring the grounds by air-conditioned bus along miles of perfect pavement
The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), 526 feet high covering 8 acres (3 ha) is where rockets are readied for launching in spotless surroundings.The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), 526 feet high covering 8 acres (3 ha) is where rockets are readied for launching in spotless surroundings.
The Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), 526 feet high covering 8 acres (3 ha) is where rockets are readied for launching in spotless surroundings.
A 'crawler' transports 6.5 million pounds of rocket and cargo upright, taking 3 hours from the VAB to one of 5 launch pads.A 'crawler' transports 6.5 million pounds of rocket and cargo upright, taking 3 hours from the VAB to one of 5 launch pads.
A 'crawler' transports 6.5 million pounds of rocket and cargo upright, taking 3 hours from the VAB to one of 5 launch pads.
Each cleat weighs nearly a tonne. Click on the photo to read more details about the 'crawler'.Each cleat weighs nearly a tonne. Click on the photo to read more details about the 'crawler'.
Each cleat weighs nearly a tonne. Click on the photo to read more details about the 'crawler'.
The ''crawlerway'', two 40 foot (12+ m) wide lanes separated by a 50 foot median, is perfectly level for 3+ miles.The ''crawlerway'', two 40 foot (12+ m) wide lanes separated by a 50 foot median, is perfectly level for 3+ miles.
The ''crawlerway'', two 40 foot (12+ m) wide lanes separated by a 50 foot median, is perfectly level for 3+ miles.
20X telephoto of VAB and launch pad They are actually 3+ miles apart.20X telephoto of VAB and launch pad They are actually 3+ miles apart.
20X telephoto of VAB and launch pad They are actually 3+ miles apart.
Launch pads undergo tremendous stresses, so must be frequently refurbished.Launch pads undergo tremendous stresses, so must be frequently refurbished.
Launch pads undergo tremendous stresses, so must be frequently refurbished.
Liquified hydrogen fuelled the Stage 2 engines of a Saturn V.Liquified hydrogen fuelled the Stage 2 engines of a Saturn V.
Liquified hydrogen fuelled the Stage 2 engines of a Saturn V.
This building displays a Saturn V, t he most powerful rocket ever built, which propelled all the flights to the Moon.This building displays a Saturn V, t he most powerful rocket ever built, which propelled all the flights to the Moon.
This building displays a Saturn V, t he most powerful rocket ever built, which propelled all the flights to the Moon.


24th June 2015

Misty
non-member comment

Cool place!! Here's hoping that the giant ball of liquified hydrogen is well protected and maintained, yikes!

Travel Blog » North America » United States » Florida » Cape Canaveral » Blogs » The Kennedy Space Center - Pt 1, Overvie
Tot: 0.085s; Tpl: 0.013s; cc: 7; qc: 24; dbt: 0.0459s; 1; m:domysql w:travelblog (10.17.0.13); sld: 1; ; mem: 1.1mb

Copyright Notice: All Rights Reserved

Do not copy images or text from this page without requesting and receiving permission. All rights are reserved by the author and photographer.

Contact Fred Perry (ferby) - a lack of a response does not mean that you have permission to use material from this page.