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Florida really does promise the Moon

10th April 202610th April 2026 funtime65

Everything they say is possible in the Happiest Place on Earth and America‘s most cosmic state but Florida really does promise the Moon, particularly this weekend.

As the four Artemis II astronauts head home after travelling farther from Earth than anyone in history.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is inviting holidaymakers to enjoy a space adventure of their own – in Florida!

Where their mission started at the start of this month from the Kennedy Space Center’s Launch Complex 39B.

And where we’ve been seeing those out of this world pictures and feeds.

Now Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is, I don’t have to tell you, at an hour’s drive from Orlando, is the closest you can get to space without leaving Earth.

Where you can stand where real missions launch, though obviously not in live time (yet).

Fly me to the moon

Guests can get a hands-on feel for the story of humans in space.

Through thrilling simulators, behind-the-scenes tours, interactive exhibits, and larger-than-life 3D space films.

From standing nose‑to‑nose with the legendary Space Shuttle Atlantis and feeling the rumble of lift‑off on the Shuttle Launch Experience.

To walking beneath the awe‑inspiring Saturn V Moon rocket at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

The complex brings NASA’s most iconic achievements to life.

In The Rocket Garden, Heroes & Legends featuring the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame.

And the chance too to meet a real NASA astronaut.

The magic bus

Door to other worlds: Kennedy Space Center

Now while the showcase transport at Kennedy is obviously the rocket it is reassuring to see that there will always be a need for the humble bus.

And your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour will take guests behind the gates of America’s most storied spaceport.

And offer you an up‑close look at the restricted areas where space history has been – and continues to be – made.

Guests travel through NASA’s working launch facilities.

Passing the Vehicle Assembly Building and the Launch Complex 39 – the very site from which Artemis II astronauts Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Christina Koch and Jeremy Hansen left Earth.

For their ten‑day journey around the Moon, complete with their own loo challenges.

Then there is The Gantry at LC‑39, a reimagined observation gantry offering 360° views across active launch pads.

And NASA’s working spaceport, placing guests at the heart of the action.

Build your own rocket

To infinity and beyond: Buzz for kids & big kids

Visitors can design and virtually launch their own rocket at the Rocket Build Interactive, feel the intensity of a Test Fire Simulation.

For a glimpse what lies ahead, Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex showcases the spacecraft, missions and innovations defining the next era of exploration.

Guests can explore a range of modern spacecraft, interact with robotic explorers, peer into the James Webb Holotube, and board Spaceport KSC.

For one of four motion‑theatre ‘journeys’ to destinations such as Mars, Saturn and the Horsehead Nebula.

Thrillseekers can push the experience even further with the New Shepard Flight to Space simulator, the and Hyperdeck VR Mission Moon.

Which is a high‑intensity, multi‑sensory virtual reality adventure which sees four players compete with one another in a race across the lunar surface.

And all for very little of your Earth money

And new for 2026 is Fraggle Rock: A Space-y Adventure.

An original live show that brings the Fraggles face-to-face with NASA’s real-life space explorers.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex also offers the closest public viewing of live rocket launches.

Giving guests the chance to witness real spacecraft lift-off from just a few miles away.

And all of this without breaking your piggy bank of earth money, with single-day admission at $77 per adult, $67 per child.

And a two-day ticket available for $91 per adult and $81 per child. For more information on Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

And, of course, Orlando is an airline hub and is well-served with other other-worldly attractions like Pluto who is still miffed that he doesn’t share his name with a planet any more.

Countries

Karman feel the force at Kennedy Space Center

16th April 202516th April 2025 funtime65

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

Dome from home: The Kennedy Space Center Capsule

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

Inner space: And channel your inner astronaut

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.

America, Countries, Flying

How nothing is ever lost in the Milky Wee

27th August 202427th August 2024 funtime65

In case you were worrying that our stranded astronauts Sunita Williams and Barry Wilmore stay lubricated here’s how nothing is ever lost in the Milky Wee.

It’s the kinda question the missionary cosmonauts who spread NASA’s message address in all their talks.

As rocket man John shared with us when he took his Kennedy Space Center tour to Europe.

Plopping on the moon: How to go in space

And explained that the key challenge in the ultimate mission to Mars is refuelling.

And as there is no such thing as waste in space the astronauts have an ingenious solution… recycling.

Not taking the pee

Now we’re not taking the pee here but water which is the starting block for life is extracted from astronaut urine.

Food is another matter and its disposal from out of our body and then elsewhere comes with its own challenges.

And so our friends at Space.com tell us astronauts are strapped on to the toilet and hold on to levers and it is is sucked out of them.

Watch this space: Your space cadet and Astronaut John

The solid waste is collected in a canister and loaded into the cargo ships that bring resources from Earth to the crew of the International Space Station.

And we’re reliably informed that our cosmonaut chums are well served with even ice cream being ferried out to them.

The ships are dropped back into the atmosphere of Earth, where they burn up permanently.

Taste of space

All of which will doubtless be going through the minds of those getting their space vibe on in their visit to Kennedy Space Center in Florida.

And imbibe in rather more salubrious circumstances in the Orbit Cafe.

Enjoy the fourth iteration of their Taste of Space: Fall Bites theme.

And channel your inner cosmonaut with ice creamy desserts too, a flaky pear galette topped with vanilla bean ice cream.

Watch out too later in the Taste of Space season for the Ice Cream Social all part of a Celebrity Chef Edition weekend.

Slice of heaven

Of course this is merely cleaning your palate after your meteor shower at Red Rock Grill.

That’s lamb meteor meatballs featuring spiced mint marinara.

Or a slice of pizza heaven at the Moon Rock Cafe at the Apollo/Saturn V Center.

All topped with bacon, fig and habanero spread, squash, sweet potato, sopressata, cheddar cheese and sage.

While visitors can enjoy a pleasure denied to our astronaut associates, and drink local beer brews will also be available for purchase inside Planet Play.

Menu items are available for purchase, but attending Fall Bites! is included with Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex admission.

Sup it up

The planet Earth is booze: And there’s nothing we can do

So drink it all in and perhaps too watch the bartenders from local bars.

Including Lourdes Library, The Space Bar, Playalinda’s Brix Project, 28 North Gastropub, The Alilbi Cocktails & Bites and Oceanside Distillery.

As they compete for the coveted Marstini trophy at the fourth annual Taste of Space: Marstini Shake-Off .

Inside Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex, guests aged 21+ can sample each Marstini.

All in the company of veteran NASA astronaut Tony Antonelli.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to vote for their favourite cocktail creation to win the coveted ‘People’s Choice Award’.

Tickets for Taste of Space: Marstini Shake-Off are $159pp, plus tax, and are available for purchase online here.

Ticket to space

Food for thought: The Celebrity Chef Edition

Briefs to the visitor complex start from $75 per adult and $65 per child for single-day admission.

A two-day ticket, which can be used for up to six months from purchase and averages a cost of less than $45 per day, is available for $89 per adult and $79 per child.

Where you’ll be able to lap up everything in space travel and cosmonaut culinary.

And learn how nothing is ever lost in the Milky Wee.

America, Countries, Flying

Fly me to the moon at Kennedy Space Center

10th July 202410th July 2024 funtime65

It promises to be the feel-good romcom of the summer and you can be in on it too… so fly me to the moon at Kennedy Space Center.

For astrophiles Kennedy, a half-an-hour drive from Orlando, is holy ground where they cam marvel at NASA history.

Gawk at the rockets, lunch with an astronaut and even go into space yourself with a virtual flight.

Now as someone who has manned his own commercial flight from Istanbul into JFK I reckon I could be trusted.

And I promise not to overrun the landing strip this time and end up in the water.

Everyone’s gone to the Moon

Spelling it out: At the Kennedy Space Center

Now our friends at Kennedy give visitors the opportunity to ascend into orbit for an eight-and-a-half minute thrill ride.

All of which will get you in the mood for the Scarlett Johansson and Channing Tatum romcom which launches on Thursday.

While you can impress your friends if you can say you’ve visited many of the places featured in the movie.

Now to understand the scale of Kennedy then consider the size of the Vehicle Assembly Building which could house three Empire State Buildings.

It’s child’s play: Tomorrow’s astronauts

And that just the NASA logo on the exterior is 12,300sqft on the Vehicle Assembly Building.

And that the flag is 209ft-tall with 110ft wide stars and stripes.

Each star measures 6ft across, and the blue field is the size of a basketball court.

All of which is the centrepiece of your Kennedy Space Center Bus Tour.

We’re all movie stars

A good introduction to other features in the film.

Such as the Rocket Garden where NASA’s Mercury, Gemini and Apollo programmes represented in this garden of giants.

Nose for a story: And the Kennedy has it all

Visitors can enjoy a tour through the history of early rocket science, with a space expert communicator.

Saturn V Rocket, filmed for the movie, is on display at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex’s Apollo/Saturn V Center.

Pick an astronaut: Friend of the spacemen

And then there’s the Astrovan, also located inside the Apollo/Saturn V Center, which was used to transport astronauts from crew quarters to launch pad where the movie stars sat inside it for certain scenes.

Now, of course, whether you’re a Scarlett or Channing or a visitor like us, then we all know that the real stars are the astronauts and the staff.

But, hey we can dream and pretend just like they did.

Top dollar

In a bubble: Kennedy Space Center on the road

Tickets to the visitor complex start from $75 per adult and $65 per child for single-day admission.

A two-day ticket, which can be used for up to six months from purchase and averages a cost of less than $45 per day, is available for $89 per adult and $79 per child.

So stick with Kennedy Space Center… they’ll fly me to the moon.

And Aer Lingus will fly me to Florida as they always do… through Dublin Airport with pre-clearance.

America, Countries

A woman on the Moon

22nd September 202221st September 2022 funtime65

Now we all know a woman who is out of this world (brownie points for me at home) but did you know that the Ancient Greeks put a woman on the Moon?

Well, there’s some artistic licence here as Artemis is their Moon Goddess.

And this, of course, you know from your Ancient Greek studies (private school education, doncha know?).

The smart people at NASA know that too.

And that Artemis is Apollo’s twin, and that’s behind their decision to namecheck her in their lunar return.

While they fully support a woman astronaut following in the legacy of Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and the eight other white men who have walked on the Moon.

Lunar lady

And with the Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System set for lift off for the Artemis 1 mission on Tuesday.

Some words from one of the top women in the field.

Vanessa Wyche, the deputy director of NASA’s Johnson Space Center in Houston, Texas said: ‘As we increase the diversity of our astronaut corps in the Artemis Generation, we look forward to the first woman walking on the Moon.

‘And inspiring women and girls from around the globe.’

The return to the Moon is slated for 2024.

But before that, of course, visitors to the Kennedy Space Center can see any one of the 40 rocket launches that have taken place this year.

Gateway to space

Visitors can experience the future of space travel for themselves.

Inside its new attraction Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex.

It features a showcase of NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware.

With immersive displays, a ‘journey’ through space, a unique launch viewing opportunity and more.

Visitors are surrounded by actual flight-flown artifacts and full-scale models.

And that is set around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing and interaction.

In addition to offering a ‘nose-to-nose’ view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor features a 30ft, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Space Explorers Interactive Wall.

With interactive, touchscreen displays, where guests can learn about 40 different satellites and probes in space.

Guests can also visit the HoloTube presentation station.

To learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk.

At Spaceport KSC, guests are transported to an airport of the future.

Hearing the atmospheric airport chatter and seeing distant views of active launches and landings through the galactic spaceport windows.

The main concourse showcases destination, departure and arrival information.

Guests then board “spaceships”, in the form of a two-story motion theatre, for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds.

Rocket man and woman

Guests to the visitor complex might be lucky enough to witness crewed and uncrewed rocket launches at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Base.

Companies like SpaceX, Boeing and United Launch Alliance (ULA) regularly have launches throughout the year.

And guests can catch one of these once-in-a-lifetime experiences during their trip to the visitor complex.

Some launches are included with admission or require the purchase of a Launch Viewing Package.

Astronuts

Interact with astronauts is one of the many exciting experiences many guests have at Kennedy Space Center.

And having enjoyed that on Kennedy’s travels in Dublin.

In Florida, the Astronaut of the Day sits down in a casual, small group setting.

To answer the most pressing and curious questions.

With plenty of time for an engaging Q&A session, attendees leave feeling truly acquainted with a space pioneer and equipped with incredible stories to share for years to come.

This feature is offered twice daily at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, at 10am and 2pm.

Now going full circle on this, I have a woman back here who would be right at home, a real space cadet.]

And she will be right at home up there as a woman on the moon.

That’s a deal

It’s out there: With my Americanophile Irish pals Dee and Tony

So for a single-day admission it’s $75 per adult, $65 per child.

The new, two-day ticket can be used for up to six months from purchase.

And it averages a cost of less than $45 per day, is now available for $89 per adult and $79 per child.