KENNEDY SPACE CENTER, Fla. (January 4, 2010) – The final night launch of the Space Shuttle Program will light up the early morning sky as space shuttle Endeavour blazes toward the stars.Launch viewing tickets go on sale Wednesday, January 6, 2010, at 9:00 a.m. ET to see space shuttle Endeavour lift-off from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. STS-130, targeted for Sunday, February 7, 2010, at 4:39 a.m. ET, will travel to the International Space Station (ISS) delivering the last major component of the space station, the TranquilityNode 3 module, and the seven-windowed Cupola, an observatory module giving astronauts a unique, panoramic view outside the space station.
The six-person crew of space shuttle Endeavour will carry Tranquility, the third and final major ISS connecting module, joining components Unity Node 1 and Harmony Node 2 aboard the space station. Tranquilitywill provide room for many of the space station’s life support systems and will include the attached Cupola module, which will serve as a robotics work station while providing crew members with an improved view of their surroundings outside the space station. The 13-day mission will include three spacewalks.
Guests will have the opportunity to view the launch from the Rocket Garden or Shuttle Plaza at the Visitor Complex, a viewing area six miles away from the launch pad. As with all shuttle launches, special launch day activities will take place at the Visitor Complex. Guests will enjoy live NASA countdown audio and video presentations on a jumbo-sized screen, astronaut appearances and launch briefings. Before witnessing the live space shuttle launch, park visitors can experience the sights, sounds and sensations of their own shuttle launch on the Shuttle Launch Experience.
Admission tickets must be purchased in advance to receive a special vehicle placard to allow entry to Kennedy Space Center after the gates close. Tickets can be purchased online or by telephone. Visitor Complex admission is $38+ tax for adults and $28+ tax for children ages 3-11 and includes viewing of the space shuttle Endeavour launch from the Visitor Complex. For more information or to purchase tickets, call 321-449-4400 or visit www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.