MERRITT ISLAND, FL — A brand new attraction is opening this spring at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex in Florida.

‘Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex’ will focus on the present and future of collaborative space exploration, allowing guests to experience the interstellar travel of tomorrow while celebrating what is happening right now within the space program. It’s all part of the Center’s ongoing mission to bring the epic story of the U.S. space program to life.

Scheduled to open this spring, the new attraction will showcase NASA and commercial spacecraft hardware with immersive displays, as well as a ‘journey’ through space, unique launch viewing opportunities and more.

Here’s a look at the highlights …

• The 50,000-square foot, multi-level attraction, currently under construction in the shadow of the Rocket Garden, will offer one-of-a-kind experiences, artifacts and exhibits, with a focus on immersive education. Thanks to atmospheric effects and a 4D motion theatre, guests will see, experience and feel what it is actually like to travel in space.
• Upon entering Gateway on the first level, ‘space travellers’ will be greeted with a futuristic design intended to set the stage for their journey. Displayed like massive space sculptures in an outdoor garden, visitors will be surrounded by actual space flown artifacts and full-scale models, placed around the floor and suspended from above to allow 360-degree viewing and interaction. They include:

Orion Crew Vehicle from EFT-1 Mission (space flown)

Boeing CST-100 Starliner Crew Vehicle (full-scale engineering model)

SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, officially known as Booster 1023, which supported two SpaceX missions (space flown)

Sierra Space’s Dream Chaser (full scale replica)

NASA Space Launch System (scale model)

ULA Atlas V and Delta IV heavy (scale model)

• As well as offering a ‘nose-to-nose’ view of the SpaceX Falcon 9 booster, Gateway’s second floor features a 30-foot, floor-to-ceiling Robotic Trail Blazers Wall with interactive, touchscreen displays through which guests can learn about almost 40 different satellites and probes in space. Also in this area will be a HoloTube presentation station where guests can learn about the high-powered James Webb Space Telescope by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation through a touchscreen kiosk.
• Nearby, guests will be transported into the future of space travel at Spaceport KSC, the first and only airport of the future. Upon entering the concourse, travellers will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport. The main concourse features multiple screens that will showcase destination promo videos and departure and arrival information. Guests will then board their ‘spaceships’ – in the form of a two-storey, 4D flying theatre – for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. Each distinct destination allows for the possibility of a different experience with each visit.
• Gateway’s rooftop will be a versatile space for both launch and landing viewing and hosting special events. Affixed to the rooftop will be a Planewave CDK20 Telescope with a Espirit 100mm triplet deep sky APO Refractor, and an Altair 125mm solar refractor will offer access to some of the sky’s most amazing celestial and solar wonders.

For details see kennedyspacecenter.com.