Kennedy Space Center : VAB Tour Ends Feb 23, 2014

I know right? The Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB will close its doors to the public soon. Feb 23, 2014 is actually a date extended to give enough time for visitors to see up-close where vehicles were assembled for launch.

The Kennedy Space Center is having a “KSC Up-Close Vehicle Assembly Building Tour” and “KSC Up-Close Mega Tour” which will be offered to the public up to Feb 23. These tours are worth for the money because one will surely enjoy the behind-the-scenes and once-in-a-lifetime experience.

NASA is preparing the VAB for the new SLS launch systems for 2017. Isn’t the news awesome? That means, Titusville and all other areas in the Space Coast will be alive again. I mean, the businesses will soon back on its happy days once again. You should know that at present, there are so many establishments in Titusville went downhill in fact, many closed its doors to their clients and customers. When NASA's Space Shuttle Program ends in 2011, thousands of the employees lost their job. You know what that means right? Domino effect.

Anyway, did you know that the Vehicle Assembly Building is the largest single-story building in the world? Yep, they assemble the gigantic shuttle in this building that's why.

See the American flag on the building? That was the largest in the world when added in 1976. I took these photos when we were on tour. The driver/tour guide was explaining the length and how wide is that flag.

I have been here for so many times but, I can't find the pictures I took of the inside. It is time to take the tour once again before it ends. Oh my goodness, that will be in less than 2 weeks. I should buy my ticket this week. Pictures? I will be posting them here soon. Watch out for it. Thanks for stopping by.

Space Shuttle Atlantis on Display at Kennedy Space Center

From the outside look on this part alone, you can tell that the latest attraction of the Kennedy Space Center is truly one of a kind. The cost of this 90,000 sq foot building is a $100 million which is now the final home of the Space Shuttle Atlantis located at the Visitor Complex of #KSC in Titusville.

Space Shuttle Atlantis is described as "one of the most complicated and sophisticated pieces of equipment ever built, the shuttle is a vehicle that launched like a rocket, flew in orbit like a spacecraft and landed on a runway like a glider." 

July 4th was my first visit inside this building. It was awe-inspiring! The attraction is truly unique with a hundred million dollar look and everything inside is perfect especially when I saw the priceless spacecraft tilted at an angle with cargo bay doors open wide. 

My most favorite part is right at the end of the film viewing and seeing the Space Shuttle Atlantis for the first time. It was an awesome experience! I truly recommend that you should visit the Kennedy Space Center soon.

Myself Under the Apollo/Saturn V Rocket

Whoaaa... Oh yeah, this is me standing below the gigantic Apollo/Saturn V Rocket. This was taken years ago and though I live about 15 minutes away from Kennedy Space Center, I never get the chance to pose another photo like this. I have been here many times and took pictures but, without me. That's the sad reality for photographers; no one takes their photos exactly as they want it. Anyway, this is the Apollo and Saturn V Center where guests can touch a moon rock and stand under the largest rocket ever built.

 

NASA Parkway West in Titusville

How was your Valentine's day celebration everyone? Did you get the gift you wanted? I told my husband I don't want chocolates because, we have stocks of chocolates at home and I don't want flowers that will wither in days. Instead, I told him to give me orchids and tulips in the planter. Happy me, that's what I got! Anyway, I hope you have a blast yesterday guys! Early morning, I went out to meet a group of people along Merritt Island. I told hubby that we will take the route in NASA Parkway. First important building on this road which is just 10 minutes away from our place is the US Astronaut Hall of Fame Building. This place has the world's largest collection of American astronaut's personal memorabilia.

The body of water to either sides of NASA Parkway is the Indian River Lagoon. I always look out the window to see a glimpse of dolphin swimming right here. Most of the time, I saw them swimming in this area.

Check out the photo below. This road is about 2 miles long and it connects the mainland Florida to Merritt Island while the NASA Causeway connects Merritt Island to Cape Canaveral. Anyway, this road is the main route heading to Kennedy Space Center and also to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This picture though is showing that we were heading to Titusville from the Kennedy Space Center.

Now, the photo below shows the Assembly Building in Kennedy Space Center. See the tiny building across the water? That's the Vehicle Assembly Building or VAB, the largest single-story building in the world, and the tallest building in the United States outside an urban area.

VAB was used to assemble American manned launch vehicles. This building was originally built for the vertical assembly of the Saturn V rocket of the Apollo program. This building is where Space Shuttle orbiters were mated with their solid rocket boosters and external fuel tanks. When space shuttles are assembled and complete, the Crawler-Transporter will move the shuttle to the Launch Complex 39. If you are interested to read more, you can search some photos and entry posts about VAB and the crawler in my blog too.

The picture below shows bascule bridge and it allows some boats on the Intercoastal Waterway to pass through the causeway. Saw it twice already and it was cool.

If you happen to pass by this road, look at the waters in both sides, you might see the dolphins. They are always seen here. In fact, I saw one dolphin at this moment but, wasn't able to take a photo. Too fast :-) !

Passing the bascule bridge and you will enjoy 180 degrees of amazing view of nature.

That's all for now. Next set of photos will be along NASA Commerce area where we saw 3 wild baby gators along the canal.

See you next time. That's my hubby driving and the red beads display is one of my favorite beads from Mardi Gras parade. Don't forget to check out my blog post everyday. Stay happy and be inspired with the beauty of nature. Thanks for stopping by.