Kennedy Space Center Visitors “Awed and Amazed” By Atlas V Rocket Launch

Kennedy Space Center guests were “awed and amazed” by the thunderous roar of an Atlas V rocket that lifted off from Cape Canaveral yesterday.

Atlas V launch at Kennedy Space Center

Image courtesy of Kennedy Space Center, Florida

The United Launch Alliance launched from Cape’s Air Force Station at 11.05am carrying the U.S. Air Force’s X-37B Orbital Test Vehicle on a national defence mission.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offered the closest public viewing of the launch, with guests at the LC-39 Observation Gantry enjoying an up-close, front row seat view.

Speaking after the launch visitor Norman Trover said, “Watching the rocket lift off was a really memorable experience and something all the family enjoyed. The view was great and we were awed and amazed seeing it in action. It was a really close view so we didn’t miss a thing. The roar that thing made was incredible.”

The X-37B space plane carried by the Atlas V rocket is designed to launch like a satellite and land like an airplane. In 2012, it broke the record for the longest mission of a reusable space vehicle after a 469-day mission. Air Force Space Command-5 marks the 54th launch of an Atlas V rocket since its first mission in 2002.

The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex opens daily at 9 a.m. with closing times varying by season.  Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40 + tax for children ages 3-11. The Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers annual passes starting at $75 + tax for adults and $60 + tax for children ages 3-11. For more information, call 877-313-2610 or visit the website.

 

 

 

 

 

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