Kennedy Space Centre - General Discussion

[BigAl]

I'll start off with some good news regarding their refurbished entrance and the Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction:

(12/31/12) Kennedy Space Center opened their new $16 million entrance complex the other day. The local news was on hand to check it out and shot some great video. An impressive fountain structure was added, planet themed ticket booths, a new gift shop and a new Mercury Atlas rocket. This also gets the KSC ready for the opening of their new dedicated exhibit to the retired Space Shuttle Atlantis which will open in July 2013.
It is also worth mentioning that the run of special behind-the-scenes access tours to areas of KSC that have been off limited to the general public for decades has been extended into 2013. The KSC Up-Close Tour Series will take you into the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB), Launch Control Center (LCC) and the Launch Pad itself will continue through to at least March 31st, 2013.

New $16M Kennedy Space Center entrance opens

(1/31/13) The Kennedy Space Center sent out a preview image showing off the Space Shuttle Atlantis set in place inside it’s new home. The new attraction wont be ready to open to the public until Summer 2013 however.

And finally the bad news:

013 - Kennedy Space Center / Space Shuttle Display - (2/8/13) In addition to the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction opening in 2013, Kennedy Space Center has also partnered with Rovio Entertainment to create Angry Birds Space Encounter, the first interactive Angry Birds themed attraction in the US.
KSC has also extended the run of “Up-Close Tours” into previously off-limits areas. Tours of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) will continue through 2013 while tours into Launch Control Center and the Launch Pad itself will continue through to at least March 31st.
Speaking of the launch pad, they have confirmed a number launch dates for 2013:
March 1– Falcon 9/SpaceX CRS2 delivery mission to the International Space Station
March 14 – Atlas V/Space Based Infrared System Geosynchronous satellite
March – Delta 4/Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft
May – Atlas V/GPS 2F-4 navigation satellite
June – Delta 4/Wideband Global SATCOM spacecraft
June – Falcon 9/SpaceX SES 8 communications satellite
July – Atlas V/Mobile User Objective System satellite
August – Falcon 9/SpaceX Orbcomm communications satellites
September – Atlas V/Advanced Extremely High Frequency satellite
September 30 – Falcon 9/SpaceX Third operational delivery mission to ISS
November 18 – Atlas V/Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution mission

Why? Visiting the KSC was one of the most amazing and fascinating places I've ever vistied. They really don't need Angry Birds. :/



All news is courtesy of Screamscape.

 

[Rose Of Dawn]

The Kennedy Space Center shouldn't have an Angry Birds ride. It's not a theme park - it's a museum. And a really good one at that. It's one of the most fascinating places I've been to, and I'm lucky to have been there twice.

I really hope this isn't the start of a more commercial KSC.

 

[IanB]

Anything that gets more people interested in space is a good thing. Just because its a Museum does not mean it can not have different types of experiences.

Some people will automatically decide that they are going to Kennedy Space Center, just because of what it is, but if having something extra encourages people who would of otherwise not gone, surely this can only be a good thing?

Ian

 

[Fredward]

FFFFFFUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUU

Go to hell Rovio and never come back.

 

[joelpagett]

Well... I wasn't expecting that! When I went last year they really don't need any gimmicks like that!

 

[Sam]

The trivialisation of science.

 

[DiogoJ42]

It's OK, Angry Birds is physics! Projectiles IS rocket science! This is just them using a popular IP to get the kids int...

...Oh wait, no it's not. It's an abomination.

 

[Quetzal]

I'm confused, I swear NASA itself is one of the worlds biggest brands, why do they need to bring in a game to publicise? :/

Either way, the Atlantis area looks awesome! Looking forwards to my trip this year.

 

[Sam]

NASA is probably the best brand the United States have got. While the US government is now far from universally respected around the world, NASA is still seen as an awesome organisation, pushing forwards the boundaries of the human experience for all citizens of earth.

Their own IP is strong enough. They just need to utilise it more, like this. They could even go the other way, and bring in an extra revenue stream for themselves by licensing out their IP to theme parks worldwide! Imagine going on a NASA indoor coaster, using all their imagery and logos.

 

[BigAl]

From Screamscape yesterday regarding the Angry Turds additions:

2013 - Kennedy Space Center / Space Shuttle Display / Angry Birds Space Encounter -
(3/23/13) Kennedy Space Center opened their new Angry Birds Space Encounter attraction on Friday, the first attraction in the US to be themed to Rovio’s hit Angry Birds videogame series. “Angry Birds Space Encounter is both a fun and educational experience,” said Bill Moore, chief operating officer of Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex for Delaware North Companies Parks & Resorts, which operates the popular destination on Florida’s Space Coast for NASA.
“Concepts of human space exploration are incorporated into Angry Birds Space Encounter, reflecting Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s ongoing mission to encourage young people in the STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics) fields of study. Kids will love interacting with their favorite Angry Birds Space characters, while parents will appreciate that their children are enjoying the learning experience,” Moore said.
The 4,485-square-foot Angry Birds Space Encounter, which is included in regular Visitor Complex admission, brings to life the space adventures of the Angry Birds as they follow their kidnapped eggs into an inter-galactic wormhole, come face-to-face with Space Pigs and gear up with heroic superpowers. Visitors encounter six interactive stations designed to engage and immerse guests in a new dimension of Angry Birds Space:
Create Your Own Angry Bird – Red, green, blue or purple – Guests create their own Angry Bird by choosing from an array of body styles and accessories. When the bird is complete, guests can print their bird as a keepsake.
Eggsteroids Slingshot – Ready, set, squawk! Guests take their best shot – slingshot, that is – at King Pig and Corporal Pig, competing with fellow players using mini Angry Birds launched in a slingshot to zap the Space Pigs.
Cold Cuts Tile Puzzle – Guests line up a universe of planets and Angry Birds to solve sliding puzzles, with three levels of difficulty, featuring images of Super Red, Ice Bird, The Incredible Terence and Space King, Pig in a Bubble.
Danger Zone – Proceed with caution! The Danger Zone features a mirrored labyrinth challenge to find the hidden Angry Birds. Guests discover surprises along the way.
Red Planet Lazer Challenge – The Angry Birds need help finding their prized golden eggs! Guests journey to the surface of the Red Planet to search for the mythical eggs but need to watch out for lazer beams that create obstacles along the course, making the mission more difficult.
Angry Birds Game Zone – Guests can play the actual Angry Birds Space game in a tournament against fellow guests, mastering selected levels and discovering little known hints to zap the pigs

 

[BigAl]

Screamscape also spotted a webcam on the KSC website which is set next to Space Shuttle Atlantis (currently covered at the moment).


TPR have a collection of photos taken at KSC here which not only features images of the new entrance but also of the Angry Birds additions. Here are a few of the photos of the Angry Birds bits and bobs...

 

[QTXAdsy]

Angry Birds seem to get everywhere these days, from Lightwater and now NASA, sheesh... :

Still, with them not launching any humans into space anytime soon, The new Atlantis exhibition should draw in a fair crowd for them.

 

[LiamC]

I don't even think it's done particularly well. Angry Birds ftl

 

[BigAl]

Screamscape have news about the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction here. KSC have apparently created a full-scale replica of the Hubble Space Telescope and installed it inside Atlantis, and there will also be a 9 minute presentation inside a Hubble Space Telescope theatre to tell guests about its 23 year history. This will all be open by June 29th!

 

[BigAl]

Thankfully the Space Center/Centre has opened a much better attraction this year and there's a photo album covering most of it here. It's the new Space Shuttle Atlantis exhibit!

 

[BigAl]

TPR have recently uploaded a video of the opening ceremony that took place for the new Atlantis Exhibit:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-YUv4l7_fsA#ws