Since we don’t all have Katy Perry’s connections a chance to feel the force our friends at Kennedy Space Center are inviting us all to Karman feel the force for free.
Without having to fork out $28million for the privilege.
Unless you’re a space nut you probably only found out about the Karman Line this week while following the Blue Origin New Shepard rocket and capsule launch.
Named after the Hungarian Theodore von Karman, born Karman Todor in Jewish Budapest, who defined the start of space as 100 kilometres above sea level.
Visitors to the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida can enter a near-perfect replica of the New Shepard capsule.
In Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex on a VR journey beyond the Karman Line.
The New Shepard psalm
The Blue Origin VR experience, which opened in 2023, uses actual data and imagery to authentically mimic the voyage to space, and back home again.
By leveraging VR technology, including high-resolution graphics and advanced hand and motion tracking, the capsule ensures a deeply immersive experience.
To allow those who can’t physically enter the capsule on their own to have the same launch experience.
The capsule includes an accessible flight seat and VR headset external to the capsule.
The New Shepard experience is included with admission.
But a time should be booked via the Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex app or via a QR code on arrival at the visitor complex.
Virtual space
At Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, less than 1 hour from Orlando, guests can go beyond their imagination and discover something real.
From the dawn of space exploration, to current and ongoing missions.
Visitors can get a hands-on feel for the story of humans in space.
Guests of all ages will love getting up-close to real flight flown artifacts, going on inter-stellar VR and simulator experiences.
And meeting a veteran NASA astronaut, as we’ve done on their travels when Kennedy Space Center. came visiting our shores.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9am, with closing times varying by season.
Single-day admission is $75 per adult, $65 per child.
A two-day ticket is available for $89 per adult and $79 per child.
Amazon adventure
All of which would have saved Katy, former Nasa rocket scientist Aisha Bowe, civil rights activist Amanda Nguyen, film producer Kerianne Flynn.
And journalist and girlfriend of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, Lauren Sanchez of a few bucks.
But then there’s worlds of difference between their wherewithall and our own.
So Karman feel the force at Kennedy Space Center.
Of course, if you do have millions of dollars down the back of the couch.
And you get the taste for space travel on your VR journey.
Then get yourself to West Texas for the next trip to around 106km above the Karman Line.
Before reentering the atmosphere as the capsule parachuted to the desert floor.
