Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will celebrate World Space Week, October 4 – 10, with once in a lifetime opportunities for both in-person and virtual guests to celebrate the past, present and future of space exploration. An international celebration of science, technology, and their contribution to the betterment of the human condition, the week will launch at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex with the North America premiere of Asteroid Hunters An IMAX® Original Film on October 6.
Later in the week, guests can experience a Facebook Live with NASA SLS team members before they test the world’s largest rocket stage, and a commemoration event celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 13 mission.
“This worldwide celebration is an opportunity for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex to join like-minded institutions around the world as we work to inspire the next generation of space explorers,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Events:
October 6 at 3 p.m. – North America Premiere of Asteroid Hunters, the new IMAX® educational film
Narrated by Daisy Ridley (Star Wars) Asteroid Hunters ventures into deep space for a fascinating look at asteroids, their cosmic origins and the potential threat they post to our world. Written and produced by Phil Groves, produced by Jini Durr and directed by W.D. Hogan, Asteroid Hunters introduces asteroid scientists – the best line of defense between Earth and an asteroid’s destructive path – and reveals the cutting-edge tools and techniques they use to detect and track asteroids, and the technology that may one day save the planet. Writer and producer Phil Groves will be at the visitor complex for a Q&A session following the premiere. Asteroid Hunters has a run time of 38 minutes and is presented by IMAX in association with Huahuang Pictures. For more information about the film, visit asteroidhunters.imax.com. The film showing and Q&A session are included with admission on a first come, first served basis. For the health and safety of guests and employees, the theater is open in a limited capacity. Guests are encouraged to practice social distancing when choosing seats.
October 9 at 2:15 p.m. – America’s Next Giant Leap: Testing the World’s Largest Rocket Stage
Hosted in the Universe Theater at the visitor complex, America’s Next Giant Leap: Testing the World’s Largest Rocket Stage is a 45-minute live event that will include a presentation from the engineers followed by time for a Q&A. Participants can engage either in-person or online in a Facebook Live chat with NASA SLS team members Tony Castilleja (Boeing SLS) and Marcia Lindstrom and Trey Cate (SLS Strategic Communication). The group will be completing a final test, during which all four SR-25 engines will be strapped to the test stand at Stennis Space Center and fired together for eight minutes during the SLS’s Green Run hot fire test in late October. . The event is included with admission on a first-come, first-served basis. For the health and safety of guests and employees, the theater will be open in a limited capacity. Guests are encouraged to practice social distancing when choosing seats.
October 10, All Day – Apollo 13 Commemoration
Though the 50th anniversary of the famed Apollo 13 mission was in April, the initial celebration was postponed due to COVID-19. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will host a commemoration on Saturday, October 10. Guests will be able to pick up commemorative Apollo 13 trading cards and watch a special video message from Captain Jim Lovell.
As always, the health and safety of employees and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, the visitor complex will continue all precautionary measures, including limited attendance and encouraging advance daily admission purchases; requiring face coverings and temperature screening for employees and guests; accommodating social distancing queues, restaurants, show viewing areas, and other facilities throughout the complex; and implementing increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection.
For more information about these and other events, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.