As the ongoing government shutdown takes a toll on federally funded services, including NASA, some space-centric operations are pressing on and offering inspiration and entertainment.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Space shuttle Atlantis is one of the actual space vehicles exhibited at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Photo by Jim Carchidi
The visitor complex is on Merritt Island and offers a wealth of interactive and educational experiences. Artifacts from the Mercury, Gemini, Apollo and Space Shuttle programs are exhibited through an affiliation with the Smithsonian Institution. But while the complex is part of NASA, it is not operated by NASA, the Smithsonian, or the federal government. Instead, Delaware North, a hospitality and food service management firm, is contracted with NASA to run everything from the space center bus tours to the concession stands.
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is also funded by guest revenue and does not rely on federal funding.
American Space Museum
Design models and artifacts donated by space workers and contractors are exhibited at the American Space Museum. Photo courtesy of the American Space Museum
The nonprofit is part of the Titusville-based U.S. Space Walk of Fame Foundation, founded in 1988. The museum opened in 2001 with a mission to preserve U.S. space program history, honor astronauts and aerospace pioneers, educate the public about the early space program, and inspire the next generation of innovators and explorers. Its archives contain design models, photographs, uniforms, and other artifacts and mementos donated by the organizations and individuals behind the historic achievements of the U.S. space program.
Exhibits, monuments, galleries, and educational programs are all funded by members and public and private donations.
Launches
Rocket launches by private companies are still scheduled since no federal funds are used. Photo by: Jim Carchidi
The end of the space shuttle-era took a huge toll on Space Coast tourism. In recent years, a new wave of missions has brought back spectators and vacationers. Fears that the shutdown would cause a slowdown are tempered by the number of private space exploration investors keeping their launches on schedule.
Resupply missions to the International Space Station are among the operations considered necessary to protect life and property, as are launch safety services. While this only represents a small percentage of the federal workforce assigned to launch sites, the commercial tenants working at Kennedy Space Center and Cape Canaveral Space Force Station - SpaceX, United Launch Alliance, Blue Origin - are paying their own way and funding operations for their missions. This means launch safety services, like on-site weather forecasters, security, and emergency personnel, are also on the job.
For details on upcoming launches, log onto SpaceflightNow.com. For information on events and attractions at KSC Visitor Center, check KennedySpaceCenter.com. For more on the American Space Museum, access SpaceWalkOfFame.org.
The Orlando Real is sponsored by the Pozek Group. If you’re thinking of buying or selling a home in Orlando, reach out and we would love to help!
Posted by The Orlando Real on
Leave A Comment