kennedy space center helicopter tour

Cape Canaveral

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Kennedy Space Center Helicopter Tour

• Headsets to hear the guide clearly
• Live commentary on board
• Helicopter tour for up to two passengers
• 3rd passenger fee
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Infants under 2 year are considered lap children provided they do not occupy a seat
• All passenger weights (including infants) MUST be provided at the time of booking
• Total passenger weights cannot exceed 600lbs (272kg / 42.85st)
• Please note: helicopters can hold up to three (3) passengers at a total weight of 600lbs (272kg / 42.85st). Price displayed is per helicopter, for up to two (2) passengers....a third passenger can be added for an additional fee of $169.99 (paid at time of the tour).

Great tour of KSC and surrounding area. Very friendly staff. I will be back.

Really nice trip. the pilot was nice and polite, but didn't knew that much about the different NASA buildings at Cape Canaveral. 30 minute was just about right. 3 persons in one helicopter. Saw the visitor complex from above. Flew down the shuttle landing strip, and across over the swamp land back to port, and south along cocoa beach. Did unfortunately not get to fly over the landing pads, the vehicle assembly building nor on the east side of banana river. Understandably since this is an operational NASA and military facility, and in a no fly zone, but still. Recommend this trip, but If you are interested in the American space program I would recommend a day at the Kennedy space center visitor complex as well

Out of all the tours we did during our vacation the helicopter tour was by far one of the best. Our pilot was an exceptional guide and was awesome.

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Space Coast Helicopter Tour

Best seller

Embark on an unforgettable journey and see Florida’s Space Coast like never before on this spectacular helicopter sightseeing tour!

Flight Experience

• Soar through the skies on a 40-minute tour aboard a Robinson R-44 helicopter, where every seat is a window seat.
• Choose from two exciting routes covering the most captivating views in the area.
• Options include flying over the Kennedy Space Center or exploring Cocoa Beach and Port Canaveral.

Discover views that few people get to see on this Space Coast Helicopter Tour!

Tour Highlights

Get ready for a bird’s-eye view of the best sights in Port Canaveral on a sightseeing excursion like no other. Feel the thrill as your FAA certified pilot takes off, revealing the Space Coast in all its glory.

• Kennedy Space Center Tour: Circle the Visitor’s complex, see NASA’s Rocket Garden and Atlantis Shuttle display, and make a low pass over the Space Shuttle Runway.
• Extended Beach Tour: Fly along Cocoa Beach's sun-drenched shores, spot surfers, and buzz over the runway at Patrick Air Force Base.

Each route promises a memorable Space Coast experience!

Essential Information

• Participants must sign a liability waiver.
• Adult or legal guardian signature required for children under 18.
• Maximum weight limit: 300 lbs per passenger.
• Maximum combined passenger weight limit: 600 lbs.
• Children/infants under 2 can sit on an adult’s lap; ages 2+ require their own seat.
• Headsets provided for communication and comfort.

Enjoy a flight time of approximately 30-35 minutes, with additional time for preparations.

Experience Provider Info

Complete information about your Experience Provider, including contact details, will be included in your booking confirmation email once scheduled.

Maximum Participants

This tour accommodates up to 3 participants, making it perfect for small groups or families.

Spectators are welcome to wait and watch in the main terminal building during the flight.

Weather Dependent

This experience may be affected by weather conditions. Contact your experience provider for any weather-related inquiries.

What To Wear

Wear comfortable clothing suitable for the weather. The helicopter is air-conditioned, ensuring a comfortable climate throughout the year.

Popular Cocoa Beach Helicopter Tours

High demand

Other popular cities in Helicopter

• Jacksonville
• St. Augustine
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• Fort Lauderdale
• Tallahassee
• West Palm Beach
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• Cocoa Beach

Kennedy Space Center Helicopter Tour

• Headsets to hear the guide clearly
• Live commentary on board
• Helicopter tour for up to two passengers
• 3rd passenger fee
• Cape Canaveral, Cape Canaveral, Brevard County, Florida
• Location Name: Port Canaveral Helipad Location Address: 673 Dave Nisbet Drive Port Canaveral, FL 32920 Directions: Conveniently located in the very front of Port Canaveral, right across the street from the Exploration Tower and walking distance from Cruise Terminal #1 and Restaurant Row in the Cove. Take the "B Terminals" exit (the South Exit) off A1A and make your first left turn onto Dave Nisbet Drive. You will see our helipad on the left.
• Confirmation will be received at time of booking
• Infants under 2 year are considered lap children provided they do not occupy a seat
• All passenger weights (including infants) MUST be provided at the time of booking
• Total passenger weights cannot exceed 600lbs (272kg / 42.85st)
• Please note: helicopters can hold up to three (3) passengers at a total weight of 600lbs (272kg / 42.85st). Price displayed is per helicopter, for up to two (2) passengers....a third passenger can be added for an additional fee of $169.99 (paid at time of the tour).
• For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours in advance of the start date of the experience.

• Linda A 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Up, Up and Away! This was a unique experience for experienced and novice flyers. Our pilot Sebastian has years of experience, made us feel safe and comfortable, explained the procedure, what to expect, what we'd be seeing - and it was all delightful! A wonderful view of a beautiful part of Florida! Read more Written 7 February 2024
• Neto_5462 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Very cool and fun! Flight as safe and fun. Aerobatics were awesome. John instructs you every step of the way. I recommend it! Read more Written 9 January 2024
• jkole2024 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Sweet 16 Suprise This was my 16th bday present and it was the experience of a lifetime! Adrenaline inducing heights leading to beautiful views... the flight was so smooth I didn't even realize we had left the ground till seconds after. The pilot was informational and encouraging. If you have the opportunity don't hesitate to say yes to this fabulous ride! Read more Written 2 January 2024
• gavalon6 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Highly recommend This was a surprise for my husband's 50th birthday. I had no intention of going along for the ride, however, our pilot John put me at ease and convinced my to go. I am so happy I did. What a great experience! John did a great job at flying and explaining the sites we were flying over. We will be back to do it again. Read more Written 31 December 2023
• scoutabout2023 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Aerobatic bi-plane flight Outstanding experience. I did the aerobatic add-on with the "double" package for 2 wing-overs, 2 loops, and 2 rolls. Beautiful scenery, great flight. The maneuvers were much gentler than what I have experienced on a roller coaster. Pilot was great about checking in with how I was doing throughout the flight. Was scheduled to fly in the morning but rain kept delaying the flight. We finally went just before sunset, which turned out to be the most scenic time anyway. As I was visiting from out-of-state and could not reschedule for another day, I greatly appreciated Florida Air Tours making this happen for me. Definitely would go again! This was a Bucket List item for me. I recommend getting the video. I didn't care about seeing myself, but really liked seeing the flight from a different perspective as the camera was mounted in front pointing back towards the tail. I wasn't going to purchase it, but my brother added it as a gift and I'm glad he did. Read more Written 31 December 2023
• L7996KDpaulf 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Outstanding biplane acrobatics adventure with Pilot Sebastian. The flight was outstanding in a beautiful biplane. We added the acrobatics component - short but thrilling, especially the loop. The GoPro video is excellent. The best part was the pilot, Sebastian, who made the flight exceptional. Read more Written 25 November 2023
• karenrP5607PC 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles What a blast! Hubby and I are "up in years" and I was looking for something really different to celebrate his birthday this year. The air tour was a great experience! Our pilot, John, was well versed in the history of the area and pointed out all sorts of sights for us. It was a totally unique experience to see part of Brevard from the air. We recommend this adventure for anyone looking for something exciting and different! Read more Written 23 November 2023
• AU51TIN 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles THE best experience ever!!! Yup, it’s expensive. But worth every penny and more!! What an experience!! Best experience of my life!! Push the boat out and go for the full 45/50 minute experience with double aerobatics ($666)!! YOU FLY OVER AND AROUND NASA, who can ever say they’ve had that opportunity??!! You will not be disappointed!! The place is easy to find, with parking. Not far from NASA too, so easy to spend a full day in the area. I took my own GoPro but also purchased the full GoPro video from the flight for an additional $50 which was sent a few hours after (you get to view it before you decide if you want to purchase). I will 100% be doing this again on my next vacation here!! Read more Written 24 September 2023
• J5826PXryanv 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles An Unforgettable Sky-high Adventure Over Florida's Space Coast We recently took a biplane tour with Florida Air Tours and it was an incredible experience! Our pilot, John, was not only welcoming but also highly skilled, making us feel comfortable and safe throughout our journey. The tour offered breathtaking views of the Space Coast, including scenic beaches and the iconic Kennedy Space Center. It was a unique way to see the beauty Florida has to offer, and John's expertise added greatly to the experience. Highly recommend for anyone looking to do something extraordinary in the Space Coast area! Read more Written 15 September 2023
• gregmann01 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing. We had such a great time. It was easy to book. The flight was great the aerobatics off the chart. Well worth it. We will certainly go again. Read more Written 31 July 2023
• U4835FDjimh 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Best Birthday Gift Ever!!! A flight with Capt John in the WACO is worth every penney you pay for the ride!! It's the only way to get a true appreciation of the beauty of the Cape Canaveral and Cocoa Beach area. Don't wait...sign-up now! Read more Written 17 July 2023
• tmack55 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Awesome!!! This was an awesome experience. Narrations in flight were excellent. I highly recommend this experience. I used the word "Awesome" so many times during and after the flight. Read more Written 28 March 2023
• Whaler1993 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Fantastic experience Our two grandchildren (15&12) went on the extended tour with aerobatic maneuvers. The experience was wonderful, had a great time. The pilot (John) was very nice, patient, knowledgeable about the area and very professional! It’s worth the money for the experience! Do It!👍😊 Read more Written 26 March 2023
• Ranger53 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Holy WOW Sebastian was an excellent pilot. He made us feel very comfortable. The flight was OUTSTANDING!!!! The scenery was incredible. Couldnt ask for a better pilot or flight. If you haven't tried this, DO IT. Read more Written 9 March 2023
• Kristin C 0 contributions 5.0 of 5 bubbles Amazing flight experience! What a cool experience! Sebastian was our pilot. We chose the classic tour with the aerobatic upgrade. Absolutely exhilarating! One of the coolest things we’ve done. The pilot was skilled and very reassuring. It was a little nerve wracking around takeoff because the weather was looking questionable, but we had nothing at all to worry about with our experience host. Smooth flight, stunning scenery, and some pretty cool stunts to round it out. Highly recommend. Add the aerobatic upgrade, for sure. You won’t regret it! Read more Written 16 February 2023

More to explore in Cape Canaveral

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Kennedy Space Center Helicopter Tour provided by Florida Air Tours

• Helicopter Tours
• Awesome Videos & Photos

Extended Tour – Space Coast

Options for our Extended tours include fantastic sightseeing over the Kennedy Space Center, a runway low pass at Patrick Air Force Base, or a St. Johns River Eco-Tour, where you can see alligators and lots of other wildlife.   Tour Distance:  Approx. 50 Miles Flight Duration:  30-35 Minutes Price:  One Passenger: $339.98 Price:  Two or Three Passengers: $169.99 each

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Your Gateway to Space

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex

Always Exploring at The Kennedy Space Center

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex has its origins in 1963 when NASA allowed self-guided tours and later when congress approved funding for a full scale visitor center, Spaceport USA.

Today, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex sits on 42 acres and is America’s front row view to space travel past, present, and future. Historic artifacts, Kennedy Space Center tours, astronaut encounters, rocket launches, and models and simulation of future space travel.

Check Off Your Bucket List

Seeing a rocket launch from Florida’s Space Coast is on many people’s bucket list, and there’s no way for a civilian to get closer to the action than through special viewing options offered by the Visitor Complex. Common options for major launches include “Feel the Heat” which gives you a front row seat at the viewing area at the Apollo/Saturn V Center, only 6 miles from the closest pad. 

April 17, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-51

A batch of satellites for the Starlink mega-constellation – SpaceX’s project for space-based Internet communication system.

April 18, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-52

April 29, 2024

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-25

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-26

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 6-53

Falcon 9 Block 5 | Starlink Group 7-30

Upcoming Space Coast Launches

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is the best place to watch a rocket launch on Florida's Space Coast! Check out what's launching soon

Unique Experiences

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is packed full of attractions and artifacts from America’s Space Program. Some of the experiences include:

• U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame – Pay your respects to the great heroes of the United States Space Program and learn about the early days of our journey to the stars
• Apollo/Saturn V Center – Until you’ve stood under it, you cannot understand how massive the Saturn V rocket is. Relive the entire Apollo program with various exhibits built around America’s trip to the moon
• Space Shuttle Atlantis – There are only 4 real space shuttles on display across the country, and we have one here! Space Shuttle Atlantis is presented in all its glory with it’s bay doors open. Don’t miss the Shuttle Launch Experience ride and the full scale replica of the Hubble Space Telescope
• Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex – Step into the modern era of Commercial Government collaboration in space. Check out a real SpaceX Falcon 9 booster and other artifacts from NASA’s commercial partners. Then step into Spaceport USA ride where you can virtually journey to the stars

Tips for Visiting

• Arrive early: There is so much to do at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex, and so little time to do it. Guests are often disappointed that when they choose to arrive later in the day they end up missing out on large sections of the experience. Your family can explore for 2 days and still not run out of things to discover
• Plan Ahead: Knowing which exhibits you want to and planning your route can help those with limited time get the most out of KSCVC. The Visitor Complex sometimes offers special viewing options for major launches, and this is the best way to get up close to the action, but this is also one of the closest spots to view normal launches as well. If you can time your visit with a launch attempt there are sometimes speakers and events centered around them as well.

• Protect Yourself: While most of the artifacts are inside air conditioned buildings, a good chunk of time is spent out in the Florida sun and rain walking between major attraction areas. KSCVC is surrounded by nature and swampland, and as such, bugs can become an issue at certain times of the day. Check the weather and pack sunscreen, rain gear and bug spray as appropriate
• Know Your Peak Seasons:  Like other Florida theme parks, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is usually busier around the holiday season, and times when families have vacations. Plan your trip accordingly, pack your patience, and be prepared for slightly longer lines

Related Yearly Events

• Yuri’s Night – April: Party with your fellow space nerds, astronauts, and more and celebrate Yuri Gagarin (the first human to leave Earth) and all things Space!
• Space Coast International Air Show – April/May:  South Brevard’s premiere Air Show takes over the skies above Melbourne
• Cocoa Beach Air Show – April/May:  Enjoy the waves and sun, while some of the greatest aircraft in the world put on a show above Cocoa Beach
• Thunder on Cocoa Beach – April/May: Get your adrenaline pumping as power boats and other watercraft race to be king of Cocoa Beach
• Taste of Space/Marstini Shake-Off – Oct-Nov: Sample the special menu at the Visitor Complex and enjoy special food and drink events all month
• Holidays in Space – Dec: Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex goes all out for the holidays with special exhibits and decorations

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Space Coast Launches App

Are you obsessed with space? Download our Space Coast Launches App to watch a live stream of every rocket launched from Kennedy Space Center & Cape Canaveral AFS, Florida.

• Locate the exact spot on the horizon to watch during a live rocket launch using the Compass feature.
• Countdown every second with real-time launch clock on the main screen.
• Keep track of upcoming missions including current launch schedule, in-depth mission plans and rocket details.

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45 Years Ago: Space Shuttle Enterprise Arrives at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center

Johnson space center.

Enterprise, the first space shuttle orbiter that NASA built, arrived at NASA’s Kennedy Space Center (KSC) in Florida on April 10, 1979. Although not space worthy, as a pathfinder Enterprise carried out tasks critical to ensuring the success of the space shuttle program. During its four-month stay at KSC, Enterprise validated procedures for the assembly of the space shuttle stack and interfaces at the launch pad. The tests proved valuable in preparing the shuttle for its first orbital mission. Earlier, Enterprise proved the flight worthiness of the shuttle during atmospheric tests and certified the vehicle’s structure to handle launch loads. Enterprise played small supporting roles in the Challenger and Columbia accident investigations. After a lengthy stay in storage, a fully restored Enterprise went on public display, first near Washington, D.C., and then in New York where it currently resides.

Enterprise’s story began on Jan. 5, 1972, when President Richard M. Nixon directed NASA to build the reusable space shuttle, formally called the Space Transportation System (STS), stating that “it would revolutionize transportation into near space.” NASA Administrator James C. Fletcher hailed the President’s decision as “an historic step in the nation’s space program,” adding that it would change what humans can accomplish in space. After Congress authorized the funds, on July 26 NASA awarded the contract to the North American Rockwell Corporation of Downey, California, to begin construction of the first vehicles. Manufacture of the first components of Orbital Vehicle-101 (OV-101) at Rockwell’s Downey plant began on June 4, 1974. 

NASA originally chose the name Constitution for OV-101, the first space shuttle vehicle designed not to fly in space but for ground and atmospheric tests. However, a determined write-in campaign by fans of the science fiction TV series “ Star Trek ” convinced NASA to rename this first vehicle Enterprise, after the fictional starship made famous by the show. When the orbiter made its public rollout at Rockwell’s Palmdale, California, facility, on Sept. 17, 1976, it bore the name Enterprise. Several “Star Trek” cast members as well as the show’s creator attended the event, accompanied by NASA Administrator Fletcher and the four astronauts assigned to conduct the Approach and Landing Tests (ALT) with Enterprise– Fred W. Haise , C. Gordon Fullerton , Joe H. Engle , and Richard H. Truly .

In January 1977, workers trucked Enterprise 36 miles overland from Palmdale to NASA’s Dryden, now Armstrong, Flight Research Center at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in California, for the ALT program, a series of increasingly complex flights to evaluate the shuttle’s air worthiness. At Dryden, workers placed Enterprise on the back of the Shuttle Carrier Aircraft (SCA), a modified Boeing 747. The duo began taxi runs in February, followed by the first captive inactive flight later that month. The first captive active flight with a crew aboard the orbiter took place in June, and Enterprise made its first independent flight on Aug. 12 with Haise and Fullerton at the controls. Four additional approach and landing flights completed the ALT program by October. In March 1978, Enterprise began its first cross-country trip . Riding atop the SCA, Enterprise left Edwards, and after a weekend stopover at Houston’s Ellington AFB, arrived at the Redstone Arsenal’s airfield in Huntsville, Alabama. Workers trucked Enterprise to the adjacent NASA Marshall Space Flight Center where engineers for the first time mated it with an External Tank (ET) and inert Solid Rocket Boosters (SRB) in the Dynamic Structural Test Facility. For the next year, engineers conducted a series of vibration tests on the combined vehicle, simulating conditions expected during an actual launch.

Following the year-long series of tests at Marshall, on April 10, 1979, NASA ferried Enterprise atop its SCA to KSC. Its sister ship Columbia , the first shuttle destined for orbital flight, had arrived there just two weeks earlier. The SCA/Enterprise vehicle remained on display at the Shuttle Landing Facility (SLF) for five days to give more than 75,000 KSC employees, their families, and the general public a chance to view the new reusable spacecraft. Workers at the SLF then removed the orbiter from the back of the SCA in the Mate-Demate Device, and towed it into High Bay 3 of the Vehicle Assembly Building (VAB) where on April 25 they completed attaching it to an ET and inert SRBs on a Mobile Launch Platform (MLP) repurposed from carrying Saturn rockets. These activities enabled verification of towing, assembly, and checkout procedures. 

Rollout of Enterprise from the VAB to Launch Pad 39A occurred on May 1, and again KSC employees and their families came out to view the event. The assembled vehicle including the MLP weighed about 11 million pounds. Technicians drove the stack atop the Crawler Transporter at varying speeds to determine the optimum velocity to minimize vibration stress on the vehicle. The 3.5-mile rollout took about eight hours to complete. Once at the pad, engineers used Enterprise to conduct fit checks and to validate launch pad procedures. During the critical countdown demonstration test, workers filled the ET with super-cold liquid hydrogen and liquid oxygen. The significant discovery that ice built up at the top of the ET during this process led to the addition of the gaseous oxygen vent hood (familiarly known as the “beanie cap”) to the launch pad facility and a procedure to retract it just a few minutes before liftoff. This prevented the dangerous buildup of ice during the countdown and ranks as perhaps one of Enterprise’s greatest contributions as a test vehicle during its time at the launch pad.

On July 23, after three months of fit checks and testing, workers rolled Enterprise back from Launch Pad 39A to High Bay 1 in the VAB. The activities conducted at the pad proved instrumental in paving the way for its sister ship Columbia to make its first launch in 1981. John Bell, who managed the activities at JSC said of the test program, “Overall, it was a very successful venture and well worth it.” Launch Pad 39A Site Manager John J. “Tip” Talone added, “Having [Enterprise] out here really saved the program a lot of time in getting things ready for [Columbia].” In the VAB, workers removed Enterprise from its ET on July 25 and towed it to the SLF on Aug. 3 where it awaited the arrival of the SCA. The ferry flight back to Dryden took place between Aug. 10 and 16 making six stops along the way – Atlanta, St. Louis, Tulsa, Denver, Salt Lake City, and Vandenberg AFB in California. Up to 750,000 people came out to see the orbiter and SCA. Back at Dryden, workers demated Enterprise and on Oct. 30 trucked it back to the Palmdale plant where engineers removed computers and instruments to be refurbished and used in other orbiters then under construction. Previous plans to convert Enterprise into an orbital vehicle proved too costly and NASA abandoned the idea.

Because Enterprise’s future remained uncertain, NASA returned it to Edwards on Sep. 6, 1981, for long-term storage. On July 4, 1982, NASA used it as a backdrop for President Ronald W. Reagan to welcome home the STS-4 crew. The following year, NASA sent Enterprise on a European tour, departing Dryden on May 13, 1983, with stops in the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy, and France for the annual Paris Air Show. Enterprise made a stop in Ottawa, Canada, on its return trip to Dryden, arriving there June 13. Workers once again placed it in temporary storage. 

For its next public appearance, NASA ferried Enterprise to Mobile, Alabama, from there transported it by barge to New Orleans, and placed it on public display in the U.S. pavilion of the World’s Fair between April and November 1984. After the World’s Fair, NASA ferried Enterprise to Vandenberg AFB in California to conduct fit checks at the Space Launch Complex-6 (SLC-6), that NASA had planned to use for polar orbiting shuttle missions. NASA used Enterprise to conduct tests at SLC-6 similar to the 1979 tests at KSC’s Launch Complex 39. The tests at Vandenberg completed, NASA ferried Enterprise back to Dryden on May 24, 1985, but this time for only a very short-term storage.

On Sep. 20, 1985, NASA ferried Enterprise to KSC and placed it on temporary public display near the VAB, next to the Saturn V already displayed there. On Oct. 30, Enterprise “saw” its sister ship Challenger fly into space on the STS-61A mission. After two months on display at KSC, NASA flew Enterprise to Dulles International Airport outside Washington, D.C., arriving on Nov. 18. NASA officially retired Enterprise and transferred ownership to the Smithsonian Institution that had plans to build a large aircraft museum annex at the airport. The Smithsonian placed Enterprise in storage in a hangar, awaiting the completion of its new home. That turned into an 18-year wait.

But even during that 18-year wait, NASA found practical use for the venerable Enterprise. In 1987, the agency studied how to handle an orbiter returning from space should it suffer a brake failure. To test the efficacy of an arresting barrier, workers slowly winched Enterprise into a landing barrier they had set up at Dulles to see if the vehicle suffered any damage. Later that same year, NASA used Enterprise to test various crew bailout procedures being developed in the wake of the Challenger accident . In 1990, experimenters used Enterprise’s cockpit windows to test mount an antenna for the Shuttle Amateur Radio Experiment, with no other orbiters available. Periodically, engineers removed parts from Enterprise to test for materials durability, and also evaluated the structural integrity of the vehicle including its payload bay doors and found it to be in sound condition even after years in storage. In April 2003, in the wake of the Columbia accident , investigators borrowed Enterprise’s left landing gear door and part of the port wing for foam impact tests. The tests provided solid evidence for the foam strike as the cause of the accident.

On Nov. 20, 2003, workers towed Enterprise from its storage facility into a newly completed display hangar at the Stephen F. Udvar-Hazy Center of the Smithsonian Institution’s National Air and Space Museum at Dulles in Chantilly, Virginia. Specialists spent eight months restoring the orbiter and the museum placed it on public display on Dec. 15, 2004.

In 2011, NASA retired the space shuttle fleet and donated the vehicles to various museums around the country. The Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum in New York City acquired Enterprise, and on Apr. 19, 2012, workers removed the orbiter from its display at the Hazy Center – replacing it with the orbiter Discovery – and placed it atop a SCA for the final time. Eight days later, after a short flight from Dulles and a flyaround of New York and several of its famous landmarks, Enterprise landed at John F. Kennedy International Airport. Actor Leonard Nimoy, who played Mr. Spock in the original “Star Trek” television series, and attended Enterprise’s first rollout in 1976, greeted the orbiter on the runway. Workers lifted the orbiter from the SCA and placed it on a barge. It eventually arrived at the Intrepid Museum on June 3 and went on public display July 19. Enterprise suffered minor damage during Superstorm Sandy in October 2012, but workers fully restored it.

Read recollections about the Enterprise ALT flight in oral histories that Haise , Fullerton , and Engle conducted with the JSC History Office .

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The best places in Moscow for space lovers

The Memorial museum of Cosmonautics, Moscow. Source: Lori/Legion-Media

In Moscow lovers of the films “Interstellar” and “Gravity” can begin their space tour as soon as they arrive by staying at the Cosmos Hotel, located in what could be called the “space” part of town. From there they can cross the street to the Cosmos Pavilion at VDNKh and the Moscow Museum of Cosmonautics.

Choose the planetarium that fits you best: a fancy one full of wild amusements or a small and cosy Soviet one hidden among the trees of Ekaterininsky Park. For a tour of Zvezdny Gorodok (Star Village) reservations often must be made two months in advance.

Cosmic canine pioneers

At the end of World War II it was still unknown if a living being could survive a space flight. In the USSR, given Professor Pavlov’s previous experience, experiments went forward with dogs, while in the U.S. and France scientists chose monkeys and cats respectively. In the USSR dogs were taken from shelters, as family dogs were considered too soft. Scientists needed dogs with a real “Soviet character,” in other words tough and full of self-denial.

In August 1960 Belka and Strelka accomplished 17 orbits around the Earth and their comeback was a triumph. They spent the rest of their lives in glory, and were often paraded around in kindergartens and schools. When they died their bodies were stuffed with straw and put on display at the Museum of Cosmonautics in Moscow.

Source: RIA Novosti/Ruslan Krivobok

Nikita Khrushchev gave Pushinka, a puppy of the heroine Strelka, as a gift to President Kennedy’s daughter. The gift was intended as a hint: the First Secretary of the Communist Party wanted to demonstrate that the USSR had beaten the U.S. in the space race. Once the CIA checked it for listening devices, Pushinka became the Kennedys’ pet, soon pairing it off with their Welsh terrier Charlie. She gave birth to four puppies.

The Museum of Cosmonautics

Source: Lori/Legion-Media

The museum has a rich collection including the first satellite, a space WC, the capsule where space dogs Kozyavka and Otvazhnaya lived, the personal belongings of the first astronaut, specimens from the moon and recreations of space flights. Authentic space food is sold in the gift shop.

Everything has been left untouched at Korolev’s Memorial House Museum located nearby. He lived there for six years during an intense period of work, fully devoting himself to projects aimed at conquering space, the most important of which was the launch of the Earth’s first artificial satellite and the first space flight of a man.

Prospekt Mira 111 Metro: VDNKh +7 (495) 683-79-68 www.kosmo-museum.ru   Hours of operation: Tue, Wed, Fri-Sun 10:00-19:00, Thu 10:00-21:00; closed Mondays Entrance fee: 200 rubles (3,5$) for adults; 50 rubles (80 cents) for children; free for children under six Guided tour: 350 rubles (6$); photo or video: 230 rubles (4$) Admission to the Buran-2 interactive space flight: 200 rubles (3,5$)

Zvezdny Gorodok (Star City)

Source: Photoxpress

The Astronauts’ Training Center and the Museum of Space Exploration can be found at the closed settlement Zvezdny Gorodok. Here you can learn about the history of spacecraft, see the first Soviet rocket, spacesuits and flight simulators for the training of astronauts. If you submit to a quick medical check-up, you can try all this yourself. But strolling around the grounds through this quiet town is also worthwhile as it’s a fascinating glimpse into Soviet scientific settlements. In order to visit the museum, you need to book a tour by phone or e-mail at least 35 days in advance.

Zvezdny Gorodok, 23 kilometers from MKAD, Sholkovskoe Shosse, Moscow Region +7 (495) 526-38-74 www.zvezdniygorodok.ru   (in Russian) E-mail:  [email protected] Entrance fee: 500 rubles (9$) for adults, 400 rubles (7$) for children

Moscow Planetarium

Source: TASS/Vladimir Astapkovich

The Moscow Planetarium was recently reconstructed and has once again become a major destination for entertainment mixed with a scientific and educational mission. There are Large and Small Star Halls, the Lunarium interactive museum, a 4D cinema and an observatory.

Source: TASS/Anna Salynskaya

The planetarium is located in the Large Star Hall, which projects stars and planets on the ceiling and shows a documentary film on black holes and the collision of galaxies. In the Lunarium you can make the Sun explode with a virtual meteorite, take a walk on Mars, launch a hydrogen-fuelled rocket or give shape to an extra-terrestrial. This is not Moscow's only such facility, as there is also a small but pleasant planetarium in Ekaterininsky Park:  www.planetarium-cc.ru   (in Russian)

Sadovaya-Kudrinskaya ul. 5/1 Metro: Krasnopresnenskaya, Barrikadnaya +7 (495) 221-76-90 www.planetarium-moscow.ru/en Hours of operation: Mon, Wed-Sun 10:00–21:00; closed Tuesdays Entrance fee: 120–700 rubles (2-12,5$)

The Cosmos Pavilion at VDNKh

The Cosmos Pavilion Museum at VDNKh park features a full-size interactive model of the future Mars-Tefo space station. It is part educational project and part interactive museum dedicated to the exploration of Mars. It is also a place where you can experience the role of the astronaut and explorer of distant worlds.

Source: TASS/Milkhail Japaridze

There are three ways to experience Mars-Tefo: you can look, touch or try yourself. Visitors can get on a simulator that mimics a walk on the surface of Mars with views of its landscapes. The walk leads to the station, where you can observe sandstorms.

There are fantastic images of Mars’ surface as well as a panorama of the Gale Crater shot by the Curiosity space probe in 2012. Additionally, visitors can enter the teleport zone and go into the future to a time when humans can explore Mars and a screening room where you can see Mars and a film on the exploration and conquest of the Red Planet.  

Prospekt Mira 119, VDNKh, Pavilion 34 Metro: VDNKh +7 (495) 215-13-41 or +7 (495) 215-13-48 The pavilion is open Tues-Sun, although tours must be booked in advance Entrance fee:  500–2000 rubles (9$-36$), with a five-percent discount if tickets are purchased online  www.marstefo.ru  (in Russian)

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