[DrDolphin]

Day 2 -
We were in no hurry to move this morning, since our NASA up close tour wasn't scheduled until 11am. We relaxed until about 9am, got up, got ready and had breakfast in the Executive Lounge (oh the joys of being a Hilton Hhonors Diamond member - Lounge Access).

After breakfast - we loaded into the car and headed north, back to the Space Center for the 11am tour. We arrived, went through security (for those thinking of going - you will have to turn on cameras and cell phones and prove they operate) and headed to our tour.

We loaded onto our bus and met with Mike - our Guide.

Mike - telling us about Cape Canaveral and the map in our guide


Launch facilities on Cape Canaveral for various un-manned programs like the Mars Rover.

Mike told us the history of Cape Canaveral and the Kennedy Space Center and how the two are not one in the same, but linked, something I did not know.

We passed by the Administration building for KSC, as well as some of the industrial buildings for quality assurance and control.

We headed out toward Launch Pad 39-A and 39-B - passing the Vehicle Assembly Building (Chris and I took more photos) and the Firing Building where they control the launch of the shuttle.

We also passed the press area (where they broadcast the launches from) and the viewing area. Some time I would love to see a launch. Mike also told us that the shuttle program has 10 more launches through 2010 and then that is over and NASA will begin to launch the new Orion program.


We drove along the crawler path and unlike the day before did not stop at the gantry viewing area - but kept driving closer to pad 39A.

We drove around Pad 39A to a viewing area between the pad and the ocean where we exited the bus and could take photos.

Me with pad 39A behind me


Chris with pad 39A behind him

Chris and I with Pad39B behind us.

After pictures, etc - we reboarded the bus, drove past 39B - where Mike explained the crew evacuation system to us as well as information about the blast zone and how the fire is actually funneled away from the orbiter during launch.

After the pads - we headed for a close up viewing of.... the Vehicle Assembly Building with opportunities to take more photos of that building....

See - more VAB photos

Flag on the VAB - each stripe is 8 feet wide!!!

NASA logo

Chris and I in front of the VAB

Me in front of the VAB

We reboarded the bus - and while we were waiting for everyone to take photos - I saw this -

I thought it was cute - a hidden shuttle (sort of like a hidden Mickey).

We passed the three Orbiter maintenance facilities -

Which led me to ask (myself) - where did they put the other 2?? There are only 3 buildings, There used to be 5 orbiters.... so did they park 2 outside (like a car in the driveway?). Like I said - curious girl with lots of questions.

From the VAB - we headed to the Saturn facility again - where we finished the day before -

On the way we passed one of the crawlers they use to move the shuttle from the VAB to the launch pad.

We also saw the shuttle landing strip and control tower.



We headed back to the Saturn center, decided to go on to the 3rd stop in the regular tour - the International Space Center.

When we arrived there - we saw a 8 minute movie about the station and then we got to actually go see components of the station being worked on (other than the fact that it was a holiday weekend and no one was working). We also saw a mock up of the facilities on the ISS - it appears much more roomie than the shuttle.

Mock station

Bridge-way to ISS facilities

Clean room environment where ISS components are being worked on.


Flags of the 15 member nations working on the ISS.

After the ISS - we went back to the visitor's center and since we had done most of it the day before - after getting a late lunch (hot dogs) and split a waffle fries - and doing a little gift shopping for some kiddos I know, we left to head to the Astronaut Hall of Fame - which is included in your entry to KSC.

We stayed there about an hour or so - I really enjoyed the exhibits of the astronauts - and was glad to see that there are a few (THREE) women in the AHOF...

After that - we headed back to the hotel to swim and take a walk on the beach to relax before dinner.


Walking on the beach photos - I have to agree with Lesley - no one looks good in their swimsuit unless they are a supermodel... and they are airbrushed.

After a nice afternoon swim and walk - we headed down to Port Canaveral for dinner at Rusty's at the port - I could see the DCL terminal.

Chris tried his first bites of alligator

Me waiting for dinner to be brought to the table (and freezing - hence my pashima). After dinner we went for a nice long walk on the beach at dusk - it was very relaxing (ok and a bit romantic too). After our long walk - we headed back to the room for the night.

Next - Sunday - and I don't want to go home.