NASA visitor complex to open immersive ‘Gateway’ to deep space in 2022

From the second floor, guests will be able get a “nose-to-nose” with the Falcon 9 booster, one of only three such reusable launch vehicles on display and the only one on indoor exhibit.

The upper floor will also host “Robotic Trail Blazers,” a 30-foot (9-m) interactive wall presenting information about some 40 different satellites and space probes. Nearby, a HoloTube presentation station can also be used to learn about the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST) by manipulating holographic imagery, video and animation.

From there, guests can depart for Spaceport KSC, “the first and only airport of the future.”

“Upon entering the concourse, travelers will be surrounded by the sights and sounds of a galactic spaceport,” the Visitor Complex described. “Atmospheric airport chatter will surround travelers as they peer through windows at distant views of active launches and landings. The main concourse features multiple screens that will showcase destination promo videos and departure and arrival information.”

Guests then board “spaceships” — in the form of a two-story, 4D flying theater — for one of four journeys: Cosmic Wonders, Daring Explorers, Red Planet or Uncharted Worlds. Each destination allows for a different journey on each visit.

On their “return” to Earth, visitors can discover a rooftop event space for both launch and landing viewing and hosting special occasions. Among the fixtures on the roof will be a telescope with a deep sky reflector and solar refractor, affording access some of the sky’s most stunning celestial and solar sights.

Kennedy Space Center Visitor Complex is operated for NASA by Delaware North and is entirely visitor-funded. No taxpayer funds were used in the development or construction of “Gateway: The Deep Space Launch Complex.”