It was probably the most interesting thing I have ever done. I love the space program and really like the cold war era tech and history.

I went with a club I am in at UCF, Students for the Exploration and Development of Space, aka SEDS and Florida Space gave us the tour.

We spent all day at the complex. We started off at one of the first launch complexes(cant remember the number or name) but I think the Gemini program started at it. It was a really cool old bunker with the old computer system still in it. What I really liked was the way they measured the amound of LOX in the rocket, an overblown bathroom scale. Once I get pics up someone will know which I am talking about.

after that we moved onto the platform John Glenn rocketed off into space with the Mercury program. Its sad since the only part left was the concrete ramp. The tower was dismantled and the bunker was refurb'd and made into a banquet hall or something.

Then we went to hallowed ground. The site of the Apollo 1 incident. It was eerie. The tower was gone and just the concrete structure and flame deflectors were left. The plaque and a flower wreath.The whole time I was there all I could think of were the three men that died.

After that we went to the OIC building I think thats what its called. But we visited the applied physics lab to see what they do, which is pretty awesome and what I like doing, as well as rode in the same elevator the astronauts rode today to go through the same double doors all of the past astronauts went through to hitch a ride in the transport to the pad.

After that space florida was done so we took our badges and went back to explore the complex. We managed to get very very close to the shuttle launch pad and VAB(but not inside.. arrr). The crawler and shuttle platform were still at the launch tower and it was pretty cool.

other than that it was an amazing experience. I'll be working on the pics I took but for now here is a taste of whats to come




I missed a lot of cool stuff because I was just inspecting things or marveling in it all but I really wish I had more time on this kind of tour

you are a man after my heart!

I'll have to come visit it now!

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[SIGPIC] Diesel loving autocrossing grandpa Architect. 08 Dodge 3/4 ton with Cummins & six speed; I have had about 35 benzes. I have a 39 Studebaker Coupe Express pickup in which I have had installed a 617 turbo and a five speed manual.[SIGPIC]

..I also have a 427 Cobra replica with an aluminum chassis.

You would love the Smithsonian Air & Space Museum.
The last time I wenbt I spent the whole day there.

Danny

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That's neat. I'd really like to see the pic's. My wife has been inside the VAB on one of her Nasa jaunts. It's really awesome. My father in law worked for Nasa briefly just before the start of the Apollo program. He was in Houston but loathed it and went to IBM before the moon program kicked off. One day I'd like to check all that out too. Pity it will all be history shortly.

- Peter.

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This was the Mercury launch control center you were looking at. Really looks downright primitive. I wouldn't want to risk my life based on readings from that junk...but that's what they had in the early 60's. Talk about the right stuff- you needed it then....

My dad worked for GE in Daytona on the Apollo program in the 60s. I can remember a visit to KSC for some event in the 60s when we got to go into the VAB. Later, I got to view the Apollo-Soyuz launch up close...cool.

Rick

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Do not neglect the "annex" at Dulles. HUGE display, and far less crowded than downtown DC.

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I went to the Kennedy Space center with my school, We got to see most of the complex, i think we visited the mission control with the old tech in it, they did a simulated launch, It was a very cool experience, Especially the room with the whole Rocket assembly tethered to the ceiling. Very very cool place to visit

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I was at Air & Space last Thursday, what a great place!

I was there not to long ago it was cool. During the visit I asked one of the astronauts after he was done talking and he asked if there were any questions.
My dad and I were the only people asking questions it was a slow day.
I asked, every time yall break through the ozone layer how much does it damage the ozone layer.
The astronaut did not like the question and told me that volcanoes do more harm.
It was pretty funny

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