US Space And Rocket Center
After reading more about the US Space And Rocket Center, it seemed like there were enough differences from the Kennedy Center that it would be interesting. Arriving, there were many cars in the parking lot. There were two large building, with a display of rockets between. There wasn’t much guidance on where to enter. I went to the wrong building and had to walk all the way back to the other building.
The U.S. Space & Rocket Center museum is dedicated to preserving and showcasing the history of the U.S. space program. As one of the largest space museums in the world, it offers a wealth of information and interactive displays for visitors of all ages. The entry fee was $30 per person.
The first exhibit at the center showcases science fiction in space and technology in popular films, such as "Star Wars," "Star Trek," and "2001: A Space Odyssey." Original props, costumes, and models from the films, allow visitors to experience the fantasy world of science fiction in a tangible way. There were displays dedicating science fiction books and comic books, revealing the contributions of some of the most influential science fiction writers and artists. These exhibits highlight the impact that science fiction has had on popular culture and the way it has inspired scientists, engineers, and futurists to push the boundaries of what is possible.
Much of the facility is dedicated to Space Camp. While I was there, about 30 students were going through the program. There was a. display showing woman astronauts that went through the program.
Woman Astronauts That Attended Space Camp
One of my favorite areas was the International Space Station (ISS) display that provide a replica of the ISS. The display provides visitors with an an opportunity to walk through a mockup and get a sense of the space. Videos, enhance the experience by providing additional information about various areas of the ISS. Seeing how small the sleeping space was for each astronaunt was inspiring for me the traveller. A typical stay in space is six months. The display also highlights the scientific experiments and research conducted aboard the ISS and the role it plays in advancing human space exploration. The ISS display also offers a unique opportunity to learn about this incredible engineering feat and the international collaboration that made it possible.
I was disappointed by the fact that all the simulators required a separate ticket to experience. These included the Space Shuttle Simulator, Mercury Capsule Simulator, Gemini Capsule Simulator, and Moon Shot Simulator to name a few. There were many areas that were focused on kids. There were two theaters that were closed when I was there.
The museum's centerpiece is the Saturn V rocket, which was used in the Apollo missions to take astronauts to the moon. Visitors can walk through the rocket, learning about its design and construction and the role it played in the U.S. space program. There are also several other large displays, including the Space Shuttle Endeavour and the Lunar Module. This was laid out similarly to the Kennedy Space center. The coolest part of this area was the technologies that were used to get humans to the moon. There was a display of core memory which I remember from my days of working with the IBM 360/20 and DECsystem 10.
The outside display grounds are scattered with numerous rockets, moon landers, training aircraft, missile launchers, helicopters, launch pad devices, etc.
I spent most of the day at the center and left as it was closing down. At the main gate is an A-12 Oxcart which was a highly advanced and secretive Cold War-era spy plane developed by the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) in the 1960s. It was part of the A-12 family of aircraft, which was used for reconnaissance missions over denied areas and was capable of reaching high altitudes and speeds. It serves as a tribute to the advanced technology and capabilities of the A-12, as well as the contributions of the U.S. intelligence community to the nation's national security.
A-12 Oxcart Article 127
Bravo Italian
Close to the US Space And Rocket Center is the Bridge Street Town center. This is a new apartment building and shopping center complex. Bravo Italian is located in the Center. It was Friday night and there was an hour wait for a table. There was plenty space available at the bar. I grab a seat at the end near the TV. The bartender asked me what I’d like to drink and I asked if they had any stouts. He didn’t know what a stout was and I told him it was a type of beer. He pointed to the list of beers on the back of the menu. Then he reached in the refrigerator and pull out 6 local craft beers. I selected the Belgium Style White and ordered spaghetti and meatballs.