Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is now offering guests several hands-on, science-based “Activity Adventures” as part of their experience at the Central Florida destination.
The activities, each from 90 minutes to two hours, provide guests the opportunity to launch a water rocket, create and then land a rover on “Mars” or race a jet car. Launched on April 15, the activities are offered at different times each day at the Visitor Complex, which recently extended its daily operating hours.
“We created these fun activities to engage guests and provide a fun way to learn about some of the incredible technology and science that they see at Kennedy Space Center,” said Therrin Protze, Chief Operating Officer for the Visitor Complex. “We want to continue to build on the approach we took in creating the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction, which features more than 60 interactive, touch-screen experiences and high-tech simulators.”
The three Activity Adventures, which are offered in addition to regular admission, are:
- Rockitz – Guests learn how to build a water rocket and then compete in a two-person team launch to achieve the maximum height during flight to win. The rocket is powered by pressurized water and reaches about 100 feet of altitude. It carries a sensor to report altitude, flight time, maximum acceleration and average acceleration. Guests gain an understanding of aerodynamics, stabilization of flight, thrust, pressure and lift, as well as safety. Each guest launches his or her rocket twice.
The two-hour activity is offered daily at 4:30 p.m. Participants must be age 18 or older, but children can observe. Cost is $35 per guest.
- Rover Lander Drop – Applying NASA ingenuity, guests design and create a rover to simulate a Mars landing while protecting a precious payload – a fragile egg. The rover is then dropped two stories to its predetermined landing site, with the goal of keeping the egg from cracking. Each item used in building the rover has an associated cost so that the total cost of the rover can be calculated.
The 90-minute activity is offered daily at 1:30 p.m. Participants must be age 11 or older. Cost is $25 per guest. Guests may take home the rovers they create.
- Super Jet Cars – In two-person teams, guests design, build and race their own jet-propelled race car, which they may take home. Participants build a car, which is powered by air escaping from a balloon, to race on a jet car track. Several design options can be tested to see how they affect the car’s performance. Guests gain an understanding of the laws of motion, jet car theory, safety, construction and operations.
The 90-minute activity is offered daily at 10:30 a.m. Participants must be age 8 or older. Cost is $25 per guest. Guests may take home the cars they create.
The Visitor Complex’s new extended hours are providing guests with more time for the Activity Adventures and to experience the new Space Shuttle Atlantis attraction and other destination highlights. Through Sept. 1, the Visitor Complex is open daily from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. It previously closed each day at 5 p.m.
Learn more about the Kennedy Space Center Activity Adventures by visiting www.KennedySpaceCenter.com or calling 877.250.9914.