Since the early days of the Mercury program, visitors to the Space Coast have enjoyed NASA launches from Kennedy Space Center and Space Shuttle launches are to continue into 2010 when NASA is planning to retire the space shuttle fleet. When a Space Shuttle launches, people come from all over the country to see it, they are that spectacular. Launches are such a large part of the Space Coast, we made 321 our area code.
All of the launches from Cape Canaveral are spectacular, especially night launches which light up the Space Coast to the awe of residents and visitors alike. There are many excellent places along the beaches and in local parks from which to view the launches. Launch dates change frequently so be sure to make your plans accordingly.
The space shuttle is not the only launch vehicle that lifts-off from Cape Canaveral. EELVs or Evolved Expendable Launch Vehicle such as the Delta 2, Atlas 5 and Delta 4 Heavy carries payloads such as GPS satellites and NASA payloads such as the GLAST, the Gamma-ray Large Area Space Telescope observatory into orbit well past the space shuttle retirement.
The Space Program has long been a source of technology advances and that continues today. The new Constellation Program will begin in 2015 with flights from Cape Canaveral. The goal of the mission is to set up an outpost on the Moon that will allow a test bed for its ultimate mission to Mars. NASA has been exploring Mars with robotic vehicles and prepare for their ultimate mission, Manned Spaceflight to Mars.
Tourist can also visit the beautiful beaches of Cocoa Beach on the Space Coast. Cocoa Beach is known as the small wave capitol of the East Coast, its wide beaches stretch for more than 10 miles. The area has many shops, restaurants, and hotels as well as a pier jutting 800 feet into the Atlantic, its a popular place to view a launch.
Many Orlando vacationers are already here during launches, by keeping up with the latest news, they'll know when to visit the nearby Space Coast to view a launch. Should a launch happen to get 'scrubbed' there are still many unique experiences to be had along the Space Coast.
The Cocoa Beach Pier is a great place for family fun all day long, after a day playing volleyball or surfing or just hanging out people watching and tanning you can go up the pier and do a little shopping on your way to one of the several fine restaurants there. After dinner go out to the end of the pier and enjoy the view from the Tiki Bar or take the kids to the ice cream parlor & arcade there.
Cape Canaveral is also very close and offers a wide variety of waterfront dining featuring fresh caught seafood mixed with the imagination of local chefs, or just sit back and watch the waves roll in or the ships go out while sipping drinks and taking in great live entertainment.
Tampa is located 84 miles to the west of Orlando on I-4. It is the commercial center of Florida's west coast with a major seaport, high tech manufacturing and one of the largest cigar making cities in America.
Major tourist attractions include: "Adventure Island" a 25 acre water theme park second to none in the country; "Busch Gardens" which has some great thrill rides and one of the best zoos in the country; the Florida Aquarium one of the best there is anywhere with over 5000 aquatic animals and plants; and Ybor City. Ybor City is a not to be missed glimpse into the heart of the Latin district, the very root of much of Florida, where great food, music, shopping all have the distinct aroma of a fine hand rolled cigar.
On the east coast 46 miles to the southeast of Orlando lies the "Space Coast" with Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center. On a recent trip I asked the concierge if he had one day to do anything he wanted what it would be. After a split second he said Kennedy Space Center. 'Nuf said. It was absolutely awesome!!
Getting there is easy but you must have a car. NASA established some beautiful pristine wildlife areas around the Kennedy Space Center (KSC) that you will see on the way in and out but the major attraction is the Space Center. An extensive renovation project is underway so check to make sure anything special you want to see is open. It is very easy to spend the whole day there but the highlights can be done in 2-3 hours with the tour bus.
The bus makes stops along the way, get out, linger, see what you want, hop back on to the next stop. The tour has everything spacey you can imagine from actual rockets to lunch with an Astronaut. Check out the International Space Station Center where engineers are working on additions to the space station and the Apollo/Saturn V center with the largest rocket ever made.
The visitor center has food, souvenirs, an IMAX theater, a host of activities for children, and of course a wealth of information on space related topics-more than most people can handle.
So don't worry if you become bored in the fabulous city of Orlando there's plenty to do nearby.
Both Kirby Collins & Jack Krohn are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
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