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2015
Marks Record Year for Viewing Rocket Launches
Along
Florida’s Space Coast, with More Than 20 Liftoffs Scheduled
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Cape
Canaveral, FL – April 2015 / Newsmaker Alert / With 24 rockets scheduled
to liftoff from Kennedy Space Center (KSC) and Cape Canaveral Air Force
Station (CCAFS) this year, 2015 will bring visitors and residents of the
Space Coast the most launch viewing opportunities in nearly 20 years. Not
since 1998 have more than 20 launch vehicles lifted off from the world-famous
Space Coast.
In
2014, 16 launches brightened the skies in Central Florida, up from 10 each
in 2013, 2012, and 2011. In all, more than 40 rocket launches have taken
place at KSC/CCAFS since the last space shuttle launch, STS-135 Atlantis
in July 2011, proving that the two Central Florida launch complexes do
indeed remain “America’s Gateway to Space.”
“This
year is scheduled to be a record year for spaceflight, with more than 20
scheduled rocket launches, and we at Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex plan to give visitors as many thrilling
opportunities as possible to see, hear and feel a massive rocket thundering
from the launch pad,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer for
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. “We recently added two new launch
viewing sites, the Launch Complex (LC) -39 Observation Gantry, just 3.4
miles from the launch pads at Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, and the
NASA Causeway, just 4 miles from the launch pads, giving our guests a choice
of four close-up locations from which to view a rocket launch.”
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex will offer launch viewing opportunities for
most 2015 launches (dependent upon time of the launch and other operational
factors). Upcoming launches include:
-
April
27, 6:14 p.m. – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the TurkmenAlem52E/MonacoSat
to provide the first national satellite telecommunications system in Turkmenistan.
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May 20
– A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the AFSPC-5 mission
for the U.S. Air Force. Launch time to be announced.
-
June 16,
1:44 p.m. – A United Launch Alliance Atlas V rocket will launch the GPS
IIF-10 satellite.
-
June 19,
1:51 p.m. – A SpaceX Falcon 9 rocket will launch the CRS-7 mission to the
International Space Station to deliver supplies.
Among
the highlights of the 2015 launch schedule are six planned launches to
deliver cargo to the International Space Station, as well as the first
demonstration flight of the SpaceX Falcon Heavy rocket (date TBD). The
heavy-lift rocket is formed of three Falcon 9 rocket cores strapped together
with 27 Merlin 1D engines firing at liftoff.
While
Brevard County offers many beautiful beaches and scenic spots from which
to view a rocket launch, only Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers
guests excellent views of the launch pads as well as a number of value-added
amenities such as live commentary by NASA TV and space experts, astronaut
appearances, food and beverage concessions, convenient restrooms and of
course, world-class attractions, exhibits and programs including the new
Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM), Shuttle Launch Experience®, KSC Bus Tour
featuring the Apollo/Saturn V Center, the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®,
Astronaut Encounter, the Rocket Garden, and more. Additional programs,
exhibits and guest speakers are often added for milestone launches, such
as the December 2014 launch of EFT-1, the first flight of the Orion spacecraft.
Please note, KSC Bus Tours and special interest tours may be altered or
suspended on launch days.
For
prime launch viewing, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex offers visitors
a choice of the following sites (subject to availability and dependent
upon time of launch and other operational factors):
LC-39
Observation Gantry
Recently
added to guests’ launch viewing options, the LC-39 Observation Gantry offers
the closest public viewing opportunity of rockets on the launch pad and
during lift off at just 3.4 miles from Cape Canaveral Air Force Station.
From here, guests can feel the force of the launch and hear the roar of
the engines. This area features lawn and bleacher seating and live launch
commentary. The package includes launch transportation, a light snack and
a souvenir T-shirt. Please note, this site is only accessible by bus from
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. Launch Transportation Tickets to
LC-39 Observation Gantry are available for $49 in addition to admission.
NASA
Causeway
Views
from the NASA Causeway include an up-close view of the rocket on the launch
pad and during liftoff. Guests at this location, just 4 miles from the
launch pad, may feel shockwaves from the launch as they travel across the
Banana River. This location includes live launch commentary and lawn or
bleacher seating. The package includes transportation to and from the launch
viewing site. Launch Transportation Tickets to NASA Causeway are available
for $49 in addition to admission. To purchase tickets, call 855-475-8415.
Apollo/Saturn
V Center
The
Apollo/Saturn V Center is located within Kennedy Space Center and is approximately
6 miles from the Cape Canaveral Air Force Station launch pad. The viewing
area features an open lawn and bleacher section overlooking the scenic
Banana River. The area includes live launch commentary, food and retail
available for purchase and indoor restroom facilities. Please note, this
site is only accessible by bus from Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.
Launch Transportation Tickets to the Apollo/Saturn V Center are available
for $20 in addition to admission.
Space
Shuttle Atlantis (SM)
Located
at the main Visitor Complex, launch viewing adjacent to Space Shuttle Atlantis
is included in daily admission. The viewing area is approximately 6.7 miles
from the launch pad and affords guests a view of the rocket once it clears
the tree line. Bleacher seating and live launch commentary is provided.
Launch
viewing is also available throughout Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
for the cost of admission only. Admission is $50 + tax for adults and $40
+ tax for children ages 3-11.
Purchase
your launch viewing tickets online at www.KennedySpaceCenter.com
or call 866-737-5235.
About
Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex brings to life the epic story of the U.S.
space program, offering a full day or more of fun and educational activities,
including the Kennedy Space Center Tour featuring the Saturn V Center with
an actual Saturn V moon rocket, the new Space Shuttle Atlantis (SM), Shuttle
Launch Experience®, 3D IMAX® space films, Astronaut Encounter,
Exploration Space®: Explorers Wanted and many other interactive exhibits.
Admission also includes the U.S. Astronaut Hall of Fame®, featuring
historic spacecraft and the world’s most comprehensive collection of personal
astronaut memorabilia (opens daily at noon; closing times vary by season).
Only 45 minutes from Orlando, Fla., 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. 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 www.KennedySpaceCenter.com.
About
Delaware North
Delaware
North is one of the largest and most admired privately-held hospitality
companies in the world. Founded and owned by the Jacobs family for nearly
100 years, it is a global leader in hospitality and food service with subsidiary
and affiliate operations in the sports, travel hospitality, restaurants
and catering, parks, resorts, gaming and specialty retail industries. Its
portfolio includes high-profile venues ranging from sports stadiums, entertainment
complexes, national parks, restaurants, airports, and some of the top regional
casinos in the country. The company also owns a selection of award-winning
destination resorts, as well as a series of premium restaurants and catering
services that are leaders in the industry. Delaware North has annual revenue
of $3 billion with 60,000 employee associates serving half a billion guests
in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand,
and Asia. “Delaware North” is a reference to Delaware North Companies Inc.
and its affiliates and subsidiaries, including location-specific operating
entities. For more information, visit www.DelawareNorth.com.
Contact:
Kennedy
Space Center Visitor Complex
Andrea
Farmer
Public
Relations Manager
321-449-4318
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