Artemis Adventure Takes Off at Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex Beginning July 19

By  //  July 18, 2021

Two-week event to include treasure hunt, block party

Beginning July 19, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will offer the next generation of space explorers the chance to take their own “giant leap” with special programs and events designed to celebrate and elevate Artemis missions.

BREVARD COUNTY, FLORIDA – NASA’s Artemis missions will return humans to the Moon using innovative technologies to explore more of the lunar surface than ever before.

Beginning July 19, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will offer the next generation of space explorers the chance to take their own “giant leap” with special programs and events designed to celebrate and elevate Artemis missions.

From scavenger hunts to dance parties and engaging discussions with industry experts and astronauts, there will be something for the whole family to discover while learning about the future of space exploration during Artemis: Next Giant Leap.

“NASA’s Artemis missions are a great opportunity to engage and inspire our guests with a number of experiences around the visitor complex,” said Therrin Protze, chief operating officer, Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

“Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex will continue to tell the history of the space program while educating the next generation of space explorers through entertaining and interactive exhibits, programs and special events.”

As part of the Artemis Scavenger Hunt, guests can pick up a Mission Manual at the Information desk or the Space Shop and answer questions about NASA’s next giant leap during visits to six information stations throughout the visitor complex.

Each station will feature a short video that corresponds with questions in the manual, and guests will receive a sticker once they select the correct answers. Once all answers are completed, Artemis explorers can return to Information to collect a Mission Success reward!

Guests will also be able to learn about NASA’s next giant leap with a series of short films that explore key elements of upcoming Artemis missions. Played daily under the Atlantis Pavilion, the Artemis Short Film Festival will feature everything from ground support to launch services. Visitors will learn how the concept began and what the future holds for deep space travel.

On July 22 at 11 a.m. and 2 p.m., veteran astronaut Norm Thagard will discuss “Artemis: From Shuttle to SLS” in Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted.

As a veteran astronaut, Norm logged 140 days in space and was the first American to occupy the Russian Mir space station. Currently, he is Associate Dean of the Florida A&M University-Florida State University College of Engineering, educating tomorrow’s engineers.

Veteran NASA astronaut Mike Mullane will also discuss “Artemis: From Shuttle to SLS” on July 24 at 3 p.m. Mike began his career in the U.S. Air Force, was selected as a mission specialist in the first class of space shuttle astronauts and flew on three missions, including two on space shuttle Atlantis.

Guests will learn more about how Artemis builds upon the lessons learned from NASA’s legacies including the space shuttle.

Under Artemis, NASA will land the first woman and first person of color on the Moon. Visitors will have the chance to learn more about NASA’s plans and the influence that the former space programs have in the “next giant leap” from veteran astronaut Nicole Stott during “Women in Space” on July 26 at 3 p.m. in Journey To Mars: Explorers Wanted. Nicole has flown two spaceflights and spent 104 days living and working in space. Guests will hear about how her career started as a structural design engineer before becoming a space shuttle astronaut, and how the science she helped develop is helping Artemis become reality.

On July 27 and 28 at 1 p.m., subject matter experts will hold a live, virtual chat from the Universe Theater to discuss how NASA plans to return to the Moon using innovative technologies. During Hear from the Experts, guests will listen to Artemis engineers, managers and communicators as they provide updates and engage in a Q&A session.

The celebration will wrap up with the Artemis: Next Giant Leap Block Party at NASA Central from July 30* – August 1. Guests will dance along as a DJ spins out of this world tunes beginning at 1 p.m. each day. A wandering street performer will also travel around the visitor complex performing science demonstrations and magic tricks.

All Artemis: Next Giant Leap events are included with daily admission to Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex.

As always, the health and safety of employees and guests is the highest priority for Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex. In accordance with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) recommendations, the visitor complex continues to operate at a limited capacity and encourages advance daily admission purchases. The visitor complex continues to accommodate social distancing queues in restaurants, show viewing areas, and other facilities throughout the complex; and implement increased frequency of sanitization and disinfection.

Additional details are available at: www.kennedyspacecenter.com/info/coronavirus

For more information and to make a reservation, visit www.kennedyspacecenter.com.

*July 30 will be a blackout date for annual passholders due to a planned launch.