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Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex Offers Guests Exclusive
Launch
Day Experience Including Live Expert Commentary,
Astronaut
Appearances, Programs and Displays for Orion Launch Dec. 4
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Visitor Complex
Plays Host to Unique Launch-Related Opportunities Offered
Nowhere Else,
Including Live Program with Former CNN Space Expert, John Zarrella
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Cape
Canaveral, FL – December 2014 / Newsmaker Alert / There’s no better
place to be on the morning of Thursday, Dec. 4 than Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex, where guests can witness firsthand Exploration
Flight Test-1, or EFT-1, the test flight of the uncrewed Orion spacecraft
from America’s gateway to space and experience a complete pre-launch-to-post-splashdown
program, including Orion-related activities, exhibits, astronaut appearances
and live coverage and commentary.
“The
Orion launch will be visible from many areas across the Space Coast, but
there’s only one way to feel the rumble, experience the excitement and
get up to date, minute-to-minute information from NASA TV, astronauts and
space experts – and that’s at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex,” said
Therrin Protze, chief operating officer of the Visitor Complex. “This is
your chance to be part of history in the making and tell your kids and
grandkids you were here when we achieved our first steps toward Mars.”
EFT-1
featuring the Orion capsule aboard a United Launch Alliance Delta IV Heavy
rocket, is set to lift off from Space Launch Complex 37 at Cape Canaveral
Air Force Station as early as 7:05 a.m. The two-orbit, 4.5 hour mission
culminates with a splashdown of the capsule in the Pacific Ocean.
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The
following programs are exclusive to those who choose to view the historic
launch from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex:
Journey
with Orion and Countdown to Splashdown programs with John Zarrella
Join
John Zarrella, former CNN space expert and correspondent, for the Journey
with Orion program leading up to launch, beginning at 5:30 a.m. and the
Countdown to Splashdown program, beginning one hour prior to splashdown.
Mission experts and astronauts join Zarrella on stage to share their unique
perspective during the mission. Guests will be invited to ask questions
and participate in giveaways. A CNN veteran for 32 years, Zarrella has
covered more than 75 shuttle missions including the launch of the Hubble
Space Telescope and repair missions, John Glenn’s return to flight, the
loss of Challenger and Columbia and the return to shuttle flight, as well
as the final shuttle mission, STS-135.
Live
NASA TV Coverage
Live
NASA TV coverage of the mission, beginning at 4:30 a.m., will be broadcast
throughout the Visitor Complex on Jumbotron screens in the Rocket Garden
and outside of Space Shuttle AtlantisSM, on giant IMAX® Theater screens
and in the Astronaut Encounter Theater. Live coverage will also be displayed
at the Apollo/Saturn V Center throughout the launch countdown and launch.
Astronaut
Appearances
Astronaut
appearances are scheduled at various locations during the launch countdown
including NASA veteran space shuttle astronauts Sam Durrance, Bruce McCandless,
Mike McCulley, Jerry Ross and Winston Scott.
Displays
and Exhibits
NASA,
Mars and Orion interactive displays and models are located throughout the
Visitor Complex, adding to the excitement of launch, offering guests additional
opportunities to learn more about NASA and the significance of these first
steps to eventually launch astronauts to Mars. Displays run from Dec. 2
through Dec. 4 and include:
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Exploration
Systems Development exhibit featuring Mars, with interactive screens, high-resolution
models and a photo op with a mock-up space suit, NASA
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Space
Launch System presentation of five-segment rocket motor and Launch Abort
System, with representatives available for questions, ATK
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Full-size
RL10 upper stage engine and a RS-68 booster-stage engine model used for
Delta IV Heavy Lift Rocket, Aerojet Rocketdyne
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Delta
IV rocket and EFT-1 mission displays, United Launch Alliance
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Social
media photo booth with ¼ scale replica of Orion crew capsule; EFT-1
flight pattern and Orion heat shield displays, Lockheed Martin
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“I’m On
Board” banner signing opportunity, NASA
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Space
Launch System and Orion inflatable, NASA
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Commercial
Crew Program, NASA
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Launch
Services Program, NASA
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Technology
Transfer, NASA
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Armstrong
Visitor Center, NASA
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Mars Rover
display, NASA
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Breakfast
with an Astronaut
For a
limited time only, through Dec. 3, Visitor Complex guests can enjoy breakfast
and an inspiring chat with one of NASA’s veteran astronauts at Breakfast
With An Astronaut. This special event includes a buffet breakfast, an astronaut
presentation about his/her experiences in space, a question and answer
period, and the opportunity to snap a photo with an astronaut hero. Breakfast
With An Astronaut begins at 9:15 a.m. and is $29.99 plus tax for adults
and $15.99 plus tax for children 3-11 plus either a daily admission or
annual pass. Seating is limited, so register online at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com/tickets.aspx
or call 866-737-5235 to register in advance.
Photographer
Michael Soluri
Guests
may meet renowned photographer Michael Soluri on Dec. 3 for a book signing
and presentation for his new book, “Infinite Worlds: The People and Places
of Space Exploration.”
A 30-minute
presentation by Soluri will be held at 12 p.m. in Exploration Space®:
Explorers Wanted. Soluri will be available to sign copies of his book at
1 p.m. at The Space Shop. Visit Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM) to view 27
of Soluri’s images of the NASA and Kennedy Space Center workforce.
Soluri
has documented humankind’s space exploration journey for more than 15 years.
His new book takes a behind-the-scenes look at NASA’s centers in Florida,
Texas and Maryland. Published by Simon & Schuster, “Infinite Worlds:
The People and Places of Space Exploration” features more than 300 fascinating
images, 15 essays and a forward by legendary former astronaut and Senator
John Glenn.
Speakers
NASA
and Orion experts are scheduled to speak Dec. 3 and Dec. 4 on a variety
of topics including NASA’s new Orion spacecraft and the Space Launch System.
The
launch window is set for the morning of Dec. 4, beginning at 7:05 a.m.
and extending to 9:44 a.m. Guests may choose from two viewing sites: the
Apollo/Saturn V Center located within secured areas of Kennedy Space Center
or the Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM) attraction, situated at the main Visitor
Complex. The Apollo/Saturn V viewing area overlooks the scenic Banana Creek
and offers a lawn area and bleacher seating with a view of Launch Pad 37,
just 8 miles away at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station. This location is
accessible only by bus from the Visitor Complex. A limited number of tickets
are available for launch viewing from the Apollo/Saturn V Center for $20
plus the cost of admission. Bus transportation to the Apollo/Saturn V Center
is available from 3 to 6 a.m. Viewing from Space Shuttle Atlantis is included
in admission. Admission and launch viewing tickets can be purchased online
at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
Please see website for additional information, including the launch scrub
policy.
After
launch, guests can spend the day exploring Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM),
Exploration Space: Explorers Wanted, Rocket Garden and other attractions.
At dusk, the Visitor Complex presents its all-new Holiday Rocket Garden
Light Show in the majestic Rocket Garden featuring a choreographed light
and music program. Guests also will be treated to a stunning array of decorations
including a 41-foot Christmas tree and a giant NASA “meatball” ornament.
About
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S.
space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities,
including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Saturn V Center with
an actual Saturn V moon rocket, the Angry Birds™ Space Encounter, Shuttle
Launch Experience, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter, Exploration
Space: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits. The new $100
million home for Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM) opened June 29, 2013. Admission
also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring historic
spacecraft and the world’s largest collection of personal astronaut memorabilia,
which opens daily at noon and closing times vary by season. Only 45 minutes
from Orlando, Fla., Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at
9 a.m. with closing times varying by season. Admission is $50 + tax for
adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor
Complex Commander’s Club Annual Pass is $75 + tax for adults and $60 +
tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or
visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
About
Delaware North
Delaware
North is one of the largest and most admired, privately-held hospitality
companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly
100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service with operations
in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants and catering, parks, resorts,
gaming and specialty retail industries. Its portfolio includes high-profile
venues ranging from sports stadiums, entertainment complexes, national
parks, restaurants, airports, and some of the top regional casinos in the
country. The company also owns a selection of award-winning destination
resorts, as well as a series of premium restaurants and catering services
that are leaders in the industry. Delaware North has annual revenue exceeding
$3 billion with 60,000 employee associates serving half a billion guests
in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand,
and Asia. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.
Contact:
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex
Andrea
Farmer
Public
Relations Manager
321-449-4318
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