nasa tours washington dc

Exploration of space

Can you visit nasa headquarters?

Yes, you can visit NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.! NASA Headquarters is located at 300 E Street SW. The Visitor Center is located on the first floor of the Headquarters building and is open Monday through Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is free.

Yes, you can visit the NASA Headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Can you go inside NASA headquarters?

Please note that half and full day tours are available. Half day tours are conducted between 10 am – 12 pm or 1 pm – 3 pm, and full day tours are conducted between 10 am – 3 pm.

There are many NASA Visitor Center Locations across the United States. Each one offers a unique blend of education and entertainment. Visit one of these locations to share in America’s triumphant adventures in space.

Can a civilian visit NASA

As of now, NASA is only allowing access to their facilities to employees and on-site contractors who have advanced sponsorship. This is in accordance with guidance from federal, state and community officials.

Come explore the history and future of Wallops Island and NASA at the Visitor Center! There are a variety of exhibits, videos, events, programs and tours to enjoy, all free of charge. So come on down and learn something new!

What is the dress code for NASA visitors?

We ask that guests please dress appropriately when visiting our establishment. This includes wearing a shirt and shoes. We do not allow clothing with objectionable material, including obscene language or graphics. Thank you for your cooperation.

Space Center Houston is an amazing place to visit if you’re interested in space and science! You can learn all about NASA’s history and see some of the equipment that astronauts use. You can also see a replica of the International Space Station and take a tour of the Johnson Space Center.

Can you tour NASA in Texas?

Space Center Houston is a must-see for anyone interested in space! Visitors can experience space firsthand by seeing astronauts train for missions, touching a real moon rock, and taking a behind-the-scenes tour of NASA.

The Exploration Center is a great place to learn about what NASA Ames is doing! It’s free to the public, so come on by and check it out. You can also find out more about the center on their website.

Can you tour spacex

If you’re interested in visiting Spaceport America, you’ll need to go through our tour provider, Final Frontier Tours. The spaceport is an active test facility and isn’t open to the public. Launches at the site aren’t open to public viewing, either, and are subject to scheduling changes.

Can you visit NASA headquarters in DC?

If you’re interested in bringing a group to the Goddard Space Flight Center, you can schedule a tour or program Tuesday through Friday. Just email [email protected] to reserve a spot. If you have any questions, please call 301-286-3978.

With the advent of private companies offering space tourism, there has been a recent surge in interest in traveling to space. However, these trips come at a significant cost, typically ranging from $250,000 to $500,000 for a suborbital trip. For flights to actual orbit, which are much more rare and require a higher altitude, the cost can be upwards of $50 million per seat. Despite the high cost, there is still a significant demand for these trips, as many people view space as the final frontier.

Do NASA astronauts get paid

Astronauts who work for civilian agencies like NASA earn a base salary of $104,898 per year. However, their salaries can increase to $161,141 per year. Furthermore, SpaceX founder Elon Musk said that he would be willing to pay his astronauts up to $500,000 for a trip to Mars.

Looking to visit the visitor complex for as low as $45 per day? Look no further than the 2-Day Admission Ticket! With this ticket, you can save and return for a second time within 6 months. Just note that the following experiences are add-on enhancements and not included with daily admission:

How much do NASA pay for astronauts?

As of Feb 8, 2023, the average monthly pay for a NASA astronaut in the United States is $7,763 a month. This is a competitive salary, especially when compared to other occupations. astronauts are highly trained professionals who are essential to the success of NASA missions. They are responsible for operating the spacecraft and performing experiments in space. astronauts work long hours and endure difficult conditions, so their salaries reflect their experience and expertise.

There are many myths about what it takes to be an astronaut, but thankfully, most of them are not true! For example, you do not need to be a certain age or have a perfect vision to become an astronaut. And contrary to popular belief, you also do not need to have a college degree in engineering to qualify. So don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t be an astronaut because you don’t fit the ” mold.” Instead, follow your dreams and see where they take you!

How many vacation days do you get at NASA

If you’re planning on visiting the Kennedy Space Center, you’ll want to know what you can and can’t bring in with you. Fortunately, the center is pretty relaxed when it comes to food and drink. You are allowed to bring in small, soft-sided containers with your food and drink. However, hard containers and glass bottles are not allowed. This is to ensure the safety of everyone at the center.

Final Words

Yes, you can visit the NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C.

Yes, you can visit NASA headquarters in Washington, D.C. The Visitor Center is open Monday through Friday from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and no advance reservations are required. Aerospace topics, such as the history of manned spaceflight and current NASA missions, are presented in exhibits and displays. Guided tours of the Center are also available.

Thelma Nelson

Thelma Nelson is passionate about space exploration and the possibilities it holds. She has been an avid supporter of SpaceX and other private space companies, believing that these organizations have the potential to unlock the mysteries of the universe. She has been a vocal advocate for more investment in research and development of space technology.

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National air and space museum, the smithsonian's national air and space museum.

The Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum is undergoing a large-scale, multi-year renovation. Approximately half of the Museum is currently open, featuring eight all-new galleries, a renovated planetarium, new store, and cafe. Timed-entry passes are required and may be reserved at https://airandspace.si.edu . The Museum also has a second location, the Steven F. Udvar-Hazy Center, located next to Washington Dulles International Airport (IAD) in Chantilly, Virginia. This location is open daily. Admission is also free, parking $15/car. Public transportation is available via Fairfax Connector's 983 bus from the Silver Line's Innovation Center Metro station and Dulles Airport.

• ADA Compliant
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• Free Admission
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Banquet capacity: 400, Theatre capacity: 485, Reception capacity: 4000

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National Mall, Smithsonian Institution

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6th Street and Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20056 6th St. & Independence Ave. SW Washington , DC 20013 United States

(202) 633-2214, [email protected], upcoming events, daytime solar observing with the national air and space museum.

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NASA Goddard Space Flight Center - Goddard Visitor Center

The Visitor Center at the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center offers a unique destination that provides valuable inspirational and educational experiences for all ages. We provide many unique programs, special events and presentations that highlight Goddard’s Earth and Space Science, engineering and technology work, and we demonstrate what is current and unique about Goddard and NASA through exciting interactive experiences for the public. Come visit us to hear lectures, see exciting model rocket launches, and participate in one of our fun filled children’s programs. We offer something for every one. Call for hours. Visits are free of charge and self-guided visits are always welcome. Educational groups are encouraged to schedule a visit program with our staff.

The National Air and Space Museum has two locations: one in Washington, DC and one in Virginia. Both locations are open every day except Christmas, and admission is free for all. Free timed-entry passes are required for the Museum in Washington, DC.

One of the most popular museums in the world. Visit the museum on the National Mall, featuring eight new galleries.

Plan a Visit

Free timed-entry passes required

10:00 am to 5:30 pm Open every day except December 25

Free admission Free timed-entry passes required

6th Street and Independence Ave SW Washington, DC 20560 202-633-2214

View thousands of aviation and space artifacts, including the Space Shuttle Discovery and a Concorde, in two large hangars.

Free admission Parking $15

14390 Air and Space Museum Parkway Chantilly, VA 20151 703-572-4118

Learn in new ways while making memories on a unique field trip to one of our two locations. 

Learners of all ages can explore air and space history on one of our memorable group tours. 

We rely on the generous support of donors like you to share the history and impact of aviation and spaceflight, educate the public, and inspire future generations.  With your help, we can continue to share the world’s most comprehensive collection of artifacts representing the great achievements of flight and space exploration.

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Visit Washington, DC!

Hotel and travel tips for visiting Washington, DC

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center

NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center, located northeast of Washington, D.C., in Greenbelt, Maryland, was the agency’s first campus and is still its major laboratory for developing and operating probes, satellites, and other unmanned spacecraft. Among other projects, it is responsible for the Hubble Space Telescope and ICESat, which tracks the polar icecaps. At Goddard, engineers test space equipment against the noise and vibration of takeoff (a tooth-chattering 150 decibels), subject it to the extra G force of a launch with a massive centrifuge, and expose it to the near-total vacuum and extreme heat and cold of outer space.

When you visit Goddard, you’ll get to watch “Footprints,” a movie projected onto a sphere from four different projectors. The film simulates the view of  Earth from outer space; You’ll see composite satellite images of forests and deserts, city lights at night, hurricanes, and much more. In “New Views of the Universe” you can see huge versions of the spectacular images captured by the Hubble Telescope and learn what scientists have gained from them. A Rocket Garden demonstrates how thrusters carry machinery aloft.

Finally, stop by the gift shop to buy a model rocket complete with motor. On the first Sunday of every month at 1 p.m., Goddard offers free launches, so if you build yours and come back, you can shoot it straight into the sky. Or you can watch all the other rocket enthusiasts launch theirs. That’s fun, too.

Travel Tips

Families and small groups wishing to visit the Visitor Center and simply explore the exhibit gallery and rocket garden on their own during regular hours do not need to make reservations. If you’re with a school, community, or cultural group, or can put one together, you can schedule a tour of the satellite construction, testing, and operations areas otherwise closed to the public. Tours are limited to 40 people. For more information, visit  www.nasa.gov/centers/goddard/visitor/home/index.html .

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Mary W Jackson Nasa Headquarters

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Immerse yourself in the beauty of the universe at ARTECHOUSE's ‘Beyond the Light' exhibit

A collaboration between an immersive d.c. museum and nasa lets you stand inside a nebula. here's what to know about the exhibit that wowed scientists responsible for the james webb space telescope., by maggie more • published august 23, 2023 • updated on october 12, 2023 at 11:57 am.

You may need to be an expert in physics or calculus to fully understand how the universe works, but appreciating the magnificence of space is something anyone can do.

And whether it's for the scientific significance or just the sheer beauty, if you're the kind of person who spent days geeking out about the first images released by the James Webb Space Telescope last summer, then you might be just as excited about ARTECHOUSE's new exhibit.

"Beyond the Light," which opened Sept. 15 at the immersive museum's D.C. location, is billed as an "artistic exploration of our unseen universe."

It was created in collaboration with scientists from NASA and physicists from Johns Hopkins University, using information from the Webb and the Hubble space telescopes to make invisible light visible to our eyes.

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The end result is an exhibit that lets you stand inside a nebula — and it even wowed one of the NASA scientists who helped launch the Webb into space.

"I was awed by how incredibly immersive it was," said Mike Menzel, the Webb Mission Systems Engineer.

He's spent over two decades getting the Webb into space and keeping it running, aiming to wow astronomers and the scientific community.

Then, Menzel saw "Beyond the Light" at ARTECHOUSE's New York City location.

The exhibit does justice to all 26-odd years worth of work NASA put into the telescope, he said.

Like previous exhibits at ARTECHOUSE , "Beyond the Light" uses data to create an immersive art display projected onto walls that stand several stories tall.

The upcoming experience tells a story about scientific innovation, and how it's let us stretch all the way "into the furthest reaches of the cosmos," the exhibit webpage reads.

According to Riki Kim, the Executive Creative Director at ARTECHOUSE, the exhibit is a testament to the way light and science can illuminate the beauty that inspires artists.

'If our eyes could see in the infrared'

The collaboration between ARTECHOUSE and NASA's outreach department began years ago, around 2018, according to the museum's founder and chief creative officer, Sandro Kereselidze.

The initial brainstorming sessions between NASA and ARTECHOUSE quickly illuminated light as the heart of the exhibit.

"There is a lot of focus on [the] James Webb Space Telescope having, showing, shining light on, previously, where it was dark," Kim said. "There was something in that. It's a new technology shining light, and being able to see something that wasn't there before."

The long development process meant there was time for improved telescope photos to be taken, for screen resolutions and projection technology to catch up to the detailed data NASA shared, and for that data to be artistically interpreted by ARTECHOUSE for the immersive setting.

The exhibit began in terms of data and not images in part because the James Webb Space Telescope doesn't take photos in the way a typical camera does, Menzel explained.

"It doesn't see in the type of light you and I see in. It doesn't see in the visible," Menzel said. "It sees in a type of light that you and I would sense as heat. It sees in infrared."

The telescope records that infrared light and then sends it back to Earth as data.

"You can picture it as a data stream saying ... each pixel or each location on the image has this much brightness in terms of infrared," Menzel said. "So our data analysts change that to look like the picture that it would appear to be if our eyes could see in the infrared."

That means shorter wavelengths of infrared light are blue, medium wavelengths become green and longer wavelengths become red. It's a very straightforward process, based on numeric values and without artistic interpretation.

NASA shared both fully-formed images and recorded infrared measurements with ARTECHOUSE, according to Kim. The artists took the interpretation to the next level.

The data the art team got "could be anything from just the image source that they have to an actual, like, mathematical data point," Kim said.

One of the artistic challenges for ARTECHOUSE was to fill in gaps that the numbers didn't provide information for, and build out a more immersive 3D experience. The team's goal was to take the familiar two-dimensional images the telescopes captured, then turn them into a cinematic experience you could walk through, Kim said.

"They did a magnificent job in providing what I call an artistic interpretation of what our mission is," and of human innovation in astronomy, Menzel said.

According to Kim, several well-known Webb and Hubble telescope photos are included in "Beyond the Light," including the Cosmic Cliffs, the Crab Nebula and the Pillars of Creation.

The featured photographs in the exhibit include some fan-favorites among the NASA crowd, too.

"My personal favorite image was the very first one that we showed to the White House," Menzel said. "That was the deep field."

That photo was the first to showcase galaxies over 13 billion lightyears away from Earth, Menzel said.

"When I first saw it ... and when I got the technical data on this, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. I was awed by what I had seen."

The image is similar to many taken by the Hubble Space Telescope, which was launched in 1990 and has made more than 1.5 million observations in the past 33 years. But what the Hubble took 14 days of exposure to capture, the Webb got in just 12 hours -- while seeing further into deep space than ever before.

The shared amazement between NASA and ARTECHOUSE made the achievement even more meaningful.

"I was wowed by the fact that the art community took so much interest in this," Menzel said. "And when they say that the show is immersive, they're not kidding around. It's -- you're right in the middle of the action."

ARTECHOUSE hopes that its artists' interpretation of those images will inspire its visitors.

"I think the idea is really to inspire the 21st-century audience with the latest way to experience the storytelling of the art and science, come together with the help of technology," said Kereselidze.

"We're really trying to aim with this exhibit to inspire the next generation of scientists, the next generation of artists. Because, you know, we all need inspiration to open up our imagination."

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How to visit "beyond the light".

General admission tickets to "Beyond the Light" are $25 and cost less for children, students, seniors, D.C. residents, military members and first responders. Visitors can save money at those prices by booking online here .

The exhibit is currently programmed to run into November, with the possibility of a longer stay if visitors demonstrate high interest. The building is also home to the XR Bar, which has a changing menu that reflects each exhibit. In this case, it features NASA- and space-themed cocktails.

ARTECHOUSE is located at 1238 Maryland Avenue SW, within walking distance of the National Mall, L'Enfant Plaza and the District Wharf.

Admissions to the exhibit are scheduled for every 30 minutes, with the last session starting at 9 p.m. The museum is open Monday through Sunday from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m.

Want to know what's up for your weekend? Sign up for The Weekend Scene , our newsletter about events, experiences and adventures for you and for your family around the DMV.

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8 Can’t-Miss Experiences At The NASA Visitor Centers

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Mankind’s greatest adventure has been our voyages into outer space. The world has been mesmerized with images of the fragile blue ball we call home from hundreds of miles away. We have been transfixed with our heroics on the moon and thrilled as we watched rockets thunder into the sky.

Across the country, that history is celebrated at the 13 NASA space and science centers. It doesn’t matter if you’re a space geek or a casual observer, the centers offer something for everyone — fascinating exhibits, educational guided tours, immersive IMAX movies, rides, and shuttle simulators that will test your piloting skills. Many places even have snack bars and restaurants.

Here are only a few of the out-of-this-world, can’t-miss experiences waiting for you at NASA visitor centers.

All NASA visitor centers have variable hours (and some are temporarily closed) due to COVID-19. Visit their website for updates on their hours of operation.

1. Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Cape canaveral, florida.

When most people think about our space program, they remember images of rockets roaring into a beautiful blue Florida sky. This is the place — the Kennedy Space Center on Merritt Island, Florida.

Out of all of the NASA visitor’s centers, Kennedy has the most to offer — IMAX theaters showing not only space films but documentaries and feature movies as well; guided tours of launch facilities at Cape Canaveral (also known as Cape Kennedy); Astronaut Encounters where you can have lunch with our astronauts, feel the sensation of being launched aboard a space shuttle, and take a tour of the actual space shuttle, Atlantis, with former launch director Mike Leinbach; for the youngsters, the two-story Planet Play playground, and so much more.

However, the big attraction and experience at Kennedy is that you can get the best seats to see an actual launch. Missions (both manned and unmanned) launch almost every week. Very soon, you can have front row seats to see the largest rocket ever built — the Space Launch System (SLS) — take to the sky as we get ready to return to the moon. Visit the center’s Launch Schedule website for the latest schedule and ticket prices.

There are a variety of ticket packages available. Visit the KSC website for details. Keep in mind that launches draw a crowd, so get your tickets early. The center is open 7 days a week, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Remember, though, that Kennedy is a working spaceport, so some attractions (like bus tours) may be closed during launches.

2. Space Center

Houston, texas.

Next to the Kennedy Space Center, Space Center Houston is the second most popular NASA visitor center. Once a rocket is launched from Florida, control of the flight is switched here to the Johnson Spaceflight Center (you know, “Houston, we’ve had a problem”).

As with all centers, the Houston center has plenty of historic artifacts, including the iconic Christopher C. Kraft Mission Control Center, where mission controllers worked to land a man on the moon, but the big draw here is being able to watch astronauts train. A special tram ride takes you to the Space Vehicle Mockup Facility, where astronauts train on the latest spacecraft, including the International Space Station and the new Orion spacecraft, that will one day head to the moon and Mars.

Being an active space training facility and mission control center, the visitor center is open 7 days a week from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., closed Thanksgiving and Christmas. The center has extended hours for the Christmas Galaxy Lights display that runs from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. Thanksgiving through New Year’s weekend.

No matter when you visit, it’s best to purchase your tickets online to avoid crowds.

3. U.S. Space And Rocket Center

Huntsville, alabama.

They call it the “Rocket City” — Huntsville, Alabama . It was here that Dr. Wernher von Braun and his team developed the Redstone rocket that put our first astronaut — Alan Shepard — into space, as well as the Saturn V that landed men on the moon. The U.S. Space and Rocket Center celebrates this history with thousands of historical artifacts.

But it’s not all about history. There are plenty of interactive activities for the explorer in you, like the Adult or Family Astronaut Training programs where you get to do a little astronaut training, take a 5-minute ride on the HyperShip motion-based simulator, experience the force of gravity on the G-Force Accelerator, take a spin on the stomach-churning Multi-Axis Trainer, and more.

For those who want something a little more down-to-earth, bus tours of the Redstone Arsenal, where our space journey began, are also available.

You will also see one of the few remaining and intact Saturn V rockets. In fact, you can’t miss it. It can be seen for miles as you drive along I-565 heading to the center.

And since Huntsville became the burgeoning city it is today due to the German rocket scientists, it’s only fitting that there is a German Biergarten serving up live music and beer spring through fall.

The center is open Monday — Friday 10 a.m. to 4 pm., Saturday 10 to 5, and Sunday 11 to 5. Tickets can be purchased online or at the entrance.

4. Infinity Science Center

Pearlington, mississippi.

A little-known NASA facility located just off I-10 in Pearlington, Mississippi, is the Infinity Science Center at the Stennis Space Center.

Stennis is the site where NASA tests all of their rocket engines. In fact, the largest engines ever built for the Saturn V moon rocket and the new Space Launch System (SLS) are fired up here, and if you’re lucky, you may get to see the show.

Being small in size, Stennis tends to be less crowded but still makes for a full day of exploration. The center has movies and documentaries playing throughout the day in their 3D Immersive Theater, the actual first stage of a Saturn V moon rocket, an Apollo 11 Virtual Reality Simulator, rooms of historical artifacts, guided bus tours of engine test stands, a snack bar, and more.

Infinity is open Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., closed on major holidays. Current ticket prices can be found online.

5. Jet Propulsion Laboratory

Pasadena, california.

Talk about being far out — it doesn’t get any farther than at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) in Pasadena, California . This is where all of the unmanned satellites that zip through the galaxy — and beyond — are tracked like the Voyagers launched in the 1970s. These satellites are still doing research billions of miles outside our own solar system, and the Mars rovers are trekking across the Martian landscape.

All tours begin with a multimedia presentation, Journey to the Planets and Beyond, then take you to see flight operations and spacecraft assembly.

Tours are available from 7 a.m. to 4:45 p.m. Monday through Friday, closed on weekends. Tours are free, but reservations are required. Contact JPL at (818) 352-1234. Valid identification such as a driver’s license is required for entry.

John Huntington / Shutterstock

6. Wallops Flight Facility

Wallops island, virginia.

Looking for more rocket launches? Then head over to Wallops Island, Virginia, and the NASA Wallops Flight Facility . Grab a seat in the bleachers to feel the thunder of large-scale launch vehicles like the Antares or sit on the center’s observation deck for the thrill of a sounding rocket launch.

The visitor center also has many exhibits documenting the history of flight from the Wright Brothers to the Space Station.

Wallops Island is open from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily, July through August, Tuesday through Saturday, September through June, closed major holidays. Admission is free.

7. Virginia Air And Space Museum

Hampton, virginia.

The history of aviation is on full display at the Virginia Air and Space Museum in Hampton, Virginia.

The museum features over 30 historic aircraft and spacecraft, including the Apollo 12 capsule and the first Orion capsule, IMAX movies, and a killer simulator — the MaxFlight, a fully interactive, 360-degree simulator complete with authentic pitch and roll (up and down, side to side) just like an actual airplane. And different planes such as vintage WWII fighters and jets turn the experience into a roller coaster.

Hours are Wednesday through Saturday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Sunday noon to 5 p.m., closed all major holidays. Beat the crowd by purchasing your tickets online.

Usa-Pyon / Shutterstock

8. Space Shuttles

Then there are those science and aviation-based museums that, while not an official NASA visitor center, still have some pretty amazing NASA connections — actual flight flown space shuttles.

Docked along the banks of the Hudson River in lower Manhattan , the aircraft carrier U.S.S. Intrepid is incredible on its own, but add to the experience the space shuttle Enterprise that was used for initial testing of the shuttle’s landing capabilities.

The Smithsonian Air and Space Museum’s annex, Udvar-Hazy Center in Chantilly, Virginia, plays host to the workhorse of the shuttle fleet, Discovery, which logged in 149 million miles over 39 flights.

And the space shuttle Endeavor has found a permanent home at the California Science Center in Los Angeles .

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Recently retired, Joe plans to continue his love of traveling while sharing his adventures and exploration of the U.S. and the world with TravelAwaits readers.

Earth Information Center opens at NASA’s D.C. headquarters

New in town | the exhibit opens monday in the previously empty lobby of the space agency’s downtown headquarters.

NASA is transforming the lobby of its downtown D.C. headquarters into a new exhibit that invites visitors to take a glimpse of Earth from space. I got in for an early press tour of this only-in-Washington destination. Where else can you wander into an otherwise ordinary-looking office building and find yourself encountering the results of cutting-edge space research? Here’s what you should know before you go.

What it is: NASA’s Earth Information Center is a physical and virtual exhibit that shows all the ways the agency and its collaborators view Earth from space, and how tracking patterns in air temperature and quality, climate, water levels, and ecosystems can help us understand and fight climate change.

The physical exhibit has four attractions. The most exciting one may be the immersive and interactive experience to the left of the lobby (more on that below.) The main display is a dashboard that details up-to-the-moment information on weather patterns, air quality and more. It’s the data NASA uses every day and is now sharing publicly as part of the Earth Information Center launch. There’s also a touch-screen kiosk that provides additional data and reports about the information collected from satellites. The fourth attraction, visible from the street through front glass windows, is one that a NASA data visualization specialist told me he hopes will draw people in from outside: a light display that shows, in real time, the data going up to and down from an orbiting satellite.

What it’s like: The immersive room, which is the centerpiece of the new exhibit, flashes images of our planet and atmosphere on three walls and the floor. In the small, dark room, a disembodied voice explains the wonders of our world and how ecosystems work to make it livable for all organisms. You’ll hear from an astronaut, too, in the five or so minutes you spend inside. Note that the room holds only three to five guests at a time, so on busy days, there may be a wait.

What I liked: This exhibit marks the first time NASA has invited guests into its headquarters’ previously empty lobby. It’s part of the agency’s effort to disseminate all the data it collects in ways that people can use and understand. Plus, it shouldn’t take more than 20 minutes to explore the whole exhibit — you can pop in on your next downtown jaunt, and space-loving tourists can add it to their list of quick stops that will impress the kids and adults alike.

Insider tip: NASA’s Earth Information Center is free and open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. Keep in mind that the rest of the building is full of offices, so be courteous with your invitation inside.

300 E St. SW. earthdata.nasa.gov .

NASA Washington, United States

NASA's vision is to discover and expand knowledge for the benefit of humanity.

Its mission is to lead an innovative and sustainable program of exploration with commercial and international partners to enable human expansion across the Solar System and bring new knowledge and opportunities back to Earth.

And it aims to support growth of the Nation’s economy in space and aeronautics, increase understanding of the Universe and our place in it, work with industry to improve America’s aerospace technologies, and advance American leadership.

The James Webb Space Telescope Explained

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• Camp KSC Day Camp for Students
• Educators Resources for Teachers
• Programs Educational Programs at KSC
• Accessibility Information

Our Camp KSC program is currently sold out! We do not have a waitlist. Please sign up for email alerts at kennedyspacecenter.com to receive more information on our educational programs and camp KSC 2025.

Camp KSC launches the next generation of space explorers into a universe of NASA-based science and engineering at America's multi-user spaceport. During this summer day camp, students ages 7 through 16 experience five days full of hands-on science, technology, engineering and math activities throughout Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex's exhibits and attractions. Campers are entertained and challenged with curriculum comprised of exciting and educational adventures that are catered to fit each age group, leaving a lifelong impact.

Camp KSC 2024 Registration Tips

All Camp KSC sales are completed online. You will not be able to purchase tickets at the front gate. Due to high call volume, Annual Passholders and badged NASA employees should book online and then call our Reservations department to have your discount applied to your reservation. This is to ensure you have a place in the online queue with the rest of the prospective campers.

Please be patient and prepared to wait in an online queue. This is a popular program that sells out quickly. In order to streamline the process, you will be put into a waiting room before reservations go on sale and the online queue opens. Once the queue opens, you should be prepared with all information to make your reservation. However, your placement in the waiting room/queue does not guarantee you a reservation.

Have all pertinent information ready. Have the following ready before beginning your reservation: your method of payment, campers’ birthdate(s) and applicable Camp KSC group name(s), choice of camp week(s), and guardian’s preferred email for all future camp communications.

Register for the correct group! All campers’ birthdays will be validated in the upcoming weeks. Purchasing the wrong age group will result in the cancellation of your reservation. You will be notified within 14 days of the cancellation.

Camp KSC Dates:

Camp KSC is a five day camp beginning at 8:00 AM each day and concluding at 3:00 PM. Parents or guardians are responsible for all transportation to and from the visitor complex each day. Camp will run Monday - Friday of the following weeks in 2024:

Week 1 May 27, 2024 - May 31, 2024

Week 2 June 3, 2024 - June 7, 2024

Week 3 June 10, 2024 - June 14, 2024

Week 4 June 17, 2024 - June 21, 2024

Week 5 June 24, 2024 - June 28, 2024

Week 6 July 1, 2024 - July 5, 2024

Week 7 July 8, 2024 - July 12, 2024

Week 8 July 15, 2024 - July 19, 2024

Week 9 July 22, 2024 - July 26, 2024

Week 10 July 29, 2024 - August 2, 2024

Camp KSC Activities

Camp KSC activities take place throughout Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, including the Astronaut Training Experience (ATX) ® , Mars Base 1, Apollo/Saturn V Center, Space Shuttle Atlantis ® and the all-new Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex ® . Each team participates in a variety of hands-on STEM challenges, labs and astronaut-training simulations designed specifically for their age group.

Campers will dive into missions such as:

• Mars habitation operations to solve possible emergencies
• A microgravity simulator, learning to work in a frictionless environment during a simulated spacewalk
• Simulated spaceflight from Kennedy Space Center to Mars
• Mars surface exploration using virtual reality
• Botany Lab vegetable growth and harvesting, sending data to real NASA scientists
• Mars rover robotics to optimize power for the Base
• Engineering builds, themed to each age group
• Hands-on STEM challenges
• Team building, communication and collaboration

Tuition includes lunch and snack each day, a specially designed Camp KSC T-shirt, a Camp KSC certificate, a themed name badge and lanyard, and wristbands for up to four family members to explore the main visitor complex after the final day of camp.

In the event of a scheduled rocket launch during Camp KSC hours, there is a possibility that all camp activities for that day may be canceled.

English Fluency : Due to the instructional and participatory nature of Camp KSC, campers must be able to speak, read and understand directions in English. For international groups, please see Camp KSC International  programs.